"We intend to treasure this health center. With its construction, no longer will we have to risk our lives plying the seas to visit the hospital in Conakry." (Joseph Wright, mayor of Tamara)

Situated some 25 km off the coast of Conakry (Guinea's capital), the Los Islands went for ages without medical or health care facilities of any kind. For that reason, during the monsoon season (May to November), when ferry services were suspended, anyone in need of emergency medical treatment had to rent a small boat and brave the stormy waters to Conakry on the mainland. That reality, though, proved to be an endless source of tragedy, as told in tales of shipwrecks and people drowning at sea. Needless to say, everyone on the islands was sincere in their desire to have a health center of their own. The completion of the new Tamara Health Center put health-care services within reach of all 7,600 citizens on the Los Islands. The local atmosphere of delight that accompanied the completion of the new facility (built with Japanese aid) was reported as follows: "No longer will anyone have to ply the seas to get medical treatment. Speaking on behalf of the 2,500 citizens (mostly from households engaging in farming and fishing activities) of Tamara who all turned out to welcome the Japanese ambassador to the opening ceremony for the island's new health center, Mayor Joseph Wright expressed deep gratitude for the new facility, which was built with Japanese grant assistance for grassroots projects.

Craft carrying Japanese Ambassador Tsunekawa to the island of Tamara