Our Work
Our Causes
The mariama Sannoh foundation is currently sponsoring several projects in Freetown and also some other rural areas such as Kenema Government hospital.
SPONSORSHIP OF DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS
Oncological services (a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of cancers) is unavailable in most parts of the country. Histopathological services are only available in Freetown. The oncology clinic in Freetown is staffed with 4 oncology doctors and trained nursing and pharmaceutical staff. The diagnostic process is long and expensive, as samples and lab tests need to be sent to external private laboratories for analysis. If the result is cancer, depending on the clinical and pathological stage, a limited number of treatment options are available . If the tumor is resectable without local or distant metastases, then wide local surgical excisions are done.
SPONSORSHIP OF ONCOLOGY DRUGS
Sierra Leone has no established national chemotherapy program. The country at large, lacks proper drugs for chemotherapy. Whether they are local or distant metastases, a limited number of oncology drugs are available. Most patients arrive at health facilities when their cancer is already at an advanced stage. Palliative care is the only viable option for most patients when they arrive at our health facilities. Out of fear, many patients hold off going to see a doctor due to finances or lack of access to nearby clinics or hospitals. With your donation, we can provide proper medical drugs for cancer afflicted patients.
Sponsorship of Cancer training for hospital staff
Nurses and pharmacists don’t have formal training opportunities in cancer care. Majority, lack expertise in how to manipulate and administer oncology drugs. The country also has limited lab capabilities to properly diagnose cancer, and social support programs —which would help patients meet basic needs such as food, transportation, and housing. These necessities are rarely part of care. Our foundation, with your help, looks forward to providing oncology training for hospital staff so that they can provide the best care for cancer patients. We would also sponsor social support to provide the above necessities and counselling needed after treatments.
SPONSORSHIP OF 50 BED ONCOLOGY WARD
Our first project is in the birthplace (City of Kenema) of Mariama Sannoh. Our goal is to provide a proper care facility for Cancer victims. With your donation and support, Kenema Regional Government Hospital General Surgery and Oncology Unit in partnership with Mariama Sannoh foundation hope to construct and equip a 50-bed oncology ward.
SPONSORSHIP OF CANCER SURVIVORS -NUTRITION & COUNSELING
The Mariama Sannoh Foundation has sponsored cancer victims with nutrition and counseling. We would like to continue this sponsorship. Mostly after treatment or surgery there is nutrition change for cancer victims. Due to lack of access to proper nutrition, cancer victims in Kenema lack the necessary nutrients they need for recovery. We would continue to provide onsite counselling and discussions via our podcast ( from doctors, nurses, and other cancer survivors) to offer hope for patients and their families.
SPONSORSHIP OF SURGICAL EQUIPMENTS
According to the Lancet, the estimated unmet surgical burden of diseases in Sierra Leone is huge. The historical neglect of surgical care both nationally and globally has made it nearly impossible for doctors to provide proper care. Approximately 4 million people lack access to emergency and essential surgical care. Most of the need is in rural and marginalized communities, where the population receives only 3.5 percent of all surgical procedures. The lack of surgical care takes a serious human and economic toll and can lead to acute, life-threatening complications. “The country presently lacks radiotherapy facilities, but we are successfully managing cancer cases with just surgery and empirical chemotherapy.” Dr Augustine A.D Tarawally. We encourage any donation of surgical equipment. Please see the list under BLOGS.