A five-year strategy for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) has been launched in Sierra Leone.
It is a national policy aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality in Sierra Leone, having suffered huge losses during the dangerous mudslide attack in August this year.
The country is currently faced with the highest rates of adolescent pregnancy and maternal and child mortality among other countries in the world.
Research has also shown that 6 percent of women in Sierra Leone will die from maternal causes during their reproductive life.
Based on the latest UN figures released, the country has an estimated under-5 mortality rate of 114/1000 live births which means that 1 in 9 children lose their life before their fifth birthday.
Dr Abu Bakarr Fofanah, Minister of Health and Sanitation said, “Each year too many of our women and children are dying from causes which are largely preventable and treatable, and the Government has committed to doing everything in its power to overturn this tragic situation,”
“Our new RMNCH strategy outlines practical interventions to save lives, improve the quality of care offered at our health facilities, address underlying causes of ill health and help ensure women, children and youth not only survive but also thrive and transform their communities,” he added.
He, therefore, appeals for the support of health workers at all levels, District Health Management Teams, the media, other Ministries, NGOs, the private sector, and development partners and communities to render support for the achievement of this goal.
