Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with health development partners, has issued a resounding call to action to address the alarming rates of child mortality in Sierra Leone. In an effort to combat this critical issue, a joint declaration was made during a call to action event held at the conference hall of the Ministry of Health on Tower Hill in Freetown, on Monday, February 26, 2024.
Previously, Sierra Leone recorded 264 deaths per 1,000 live births. Today, the Ministry’s records show a reduction to 105 deaths per 1,000 live births. However, the Ministry revealed that most of these deaths are attributed to preventable causes such as malaria, diarrhoea, and malnutrition.
Minister Demby, addressing the gathering, declared, “This call is a moment to unequivocally declare that ‘enough is enough’ and to reject the notion that child deaths are inevitable or divinely ordained.” He emphasized the need for proactive, evidence-based interventions to safeguard the lives of children.
While acknowledging progress from 264 deaths per 1,000 live births in the 90s to the current figure of 105 deaths per 1,000 live births, Minister Demby expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the current figures remain unacceptable. He highlighted that preventable illnesses such as malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhoea contribute to the majority of these deaths.
In response to a question about improving WASH facilities, especially in slum areas, Chief Medical Officer Dr Sartie Kenneh mentioned the implementation of the Public Health Act and stressed the importance of effective community engagement and partnership between the Ministry and communities.
Minister Demby urged mothers to focus on nutrition, recommending the consumption of healthy foods like beans, readily available in the country. He emphasized President Bio’s commitment to improving healthcare as a cornerstone of the national agenda for human capital development.
The Minister outlined ten critical action points to change the narrative of child health in Sierra Leone, including life-saving vaccines, mandatory reporting and review of child deaths, increased funding allocation, collaboration among ministries, investment in healthcare infrastructure, community engagement, establishment of Paediatric Centres, and support for healthcare professionals.
Representing UNICEF, Rudolf Schwenk noted a 60% reduction in under-five mortality over the past three decades, with a 36% reduction in the last ten years.
Schwenk said “UNICEF is calling for a renewed commitment to child survival and a stronger commitment from all stakeholders to operationalize the Sierra Leone Child Survival Action Plan and accelerate progress towards achieving universal health coverage.”