Koidu, Kono District – Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has stepped in to mediate between the management of Koidu Government Hospital and the local Muslim Jamat over plans to demolish a mosque to make way for the hospital’s expansion.
The engagement brought together hospital authorities and representatives of the Muslim community in Koidu. While the Muslim Jamat reaffirmed its full support for the hospital’s development, community leaders insisted on the provision of an alternative place of worship and a clear, practical transitional arrangement before any demolition takes place.
Drawing on his long experience in conflict resolution and mediation, the Vice President made it clear that his role was to facilitate dialogue and help both sides reach a peaceful outcome that respects the legitimate concerns of all parties.
He urged the hospital management and the Muslim Jamat to approach the matter in a spirit of goodwill and mutual understanding so that a workable solution can be found.
Koidu District Medical Officer Dr. Mohamed Gbessay assured the Vice President that hospital management remains committed to addressing the community’s concerns and securing an amicable resolution.
After the discussions, Dr. Jalloh visited the mosque earmarked for demolition and inspected an alternative mosque located approximately 100 metres away. The second facility has been identified as a possible temporary place of worship should the demolition proceed.
The mediation comes against the backdrop of significant ongoing expansion at Koidu Government Hospital, one of the key referral facilities in eastern Sierra Leone. In recent years the hospital has undergone major upgrades, including the development of the Paul E. Farmer Maternal Centre of Excellence in partnership with Partners In Health. The new facilities have substantially increased bed capacity, added operating theatres, and introduced Sierra Leone’s first rural Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, transforming the hospital into a regional centre for maternal and child health services.
The hospital holds particular personal significance for the Vice President. Dr. Jalloh was born at Koidu Government Hospital and has repeatedly described it as a place close to his heart. He has made several visits to the facility in recent years, including sharing an Iftar meal with staff during Ramadan and facilitating the donation of an ambulance, a 56-seater staff bus, and a utility vehicle to improve working conditions and service delivery.
The latest engagement underscores the importance of continuous dialogue, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence as Sierra Leone advances critical public infrastructure while safeguarding the religious and cultural needs of its communities.
