Sierra Leone News

FREETOWN –1st May 2014 - The Minister of Health and Sanitation Madam Miata Kargbo launched the Sierra Leone Malaria Indicator Survey 2013 during World Malaria Day 2014 held at the Saint Anthony’s hall in Freetown. The Minister applauded the progress made in malaria control noting that “we have a reason to celebrate our achievements” She commended the efforts of Ministry of Health Staff and partners for their contribution but pointed out that the country has to do more to reach its goal.

Background

The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is the first international health treaty negotiated under the auspices of the WHO and was adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2003. It has since become one of the most widely and rapidly embraced treaties in the history of the United Nations, with 176 Parties to date.

The Republic of Sierra Leone ratified the WHO FCTC on 22 May 2009 as the 165th country to do so. The Convention entered into force for Sierra Leone on 20 August 2009.

Preliminary report of Sierra Leone’s 2013 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) was launched on 28 January 2014 by Dr Keifala Mara, Minister of Finance and Economic Development in Freetown. The report was launched in a gathering of a cross section of the public and government officials, development partner including the UN, the donor community, civil society and other strategic partners.

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) launched Sierra Leone’s national Policy and a five year Strategic Plan (2013-2017) on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) on 6 September 2013. The documents were launched by the Minister of Health and Sanitation Madam Miatta Kargbo during a symposium on the prevalence and burden of NCDs in the country. In addition a health fair was held to raise public awareness on the major risk factors of NCDs.

Sierra Leone will conduct maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination (MNTE) validation survey in April 2013. The exercise will be conducted in Port Loko District which has been one of the high risk districts in the country and will be carried out by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation with technical and financial support of WHO and UNICEF. The survey will target all live births delivered between 1 March 2012 and 1 March 2013 as well as women within the reproductive age bracket of 15-49 years.

The training targeted health workers from Kambia, Port Loko Districts and the Western Area. The cadre of the participants included medical doctors and nurses, national and district disease surveillance officers, laboratory tech-nicians, pharmacists, M&E and health education officers as well as sector partners such as the Office of National Security.

Sierra Leone launched the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Initiative on 2 October 2012 in Freetown. The event was launched by the Vice President (VP) of the republic, Chief Samuel Sam Sumana on behalf of His Excellency Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. The launch is a demonstration of the high-level commitment of the government and its leadership in the Initiative.

The ongoing cholera outbreak in Sierra Leone is still on the increase with the Capital City and its suburbs (Western Area) accounting for more than 50% of the reported cases and about 34% of the deaths nationally. Kailahun remains the only district in the country without a confirmed cholera case. Active surveillance and social mobilisation activities are however underway in that district to prevent spread of the disease in case of an outbreak there.

The number of cholera cases in Sierra Leone has increased to 12,456 with 224 deaths as of August 22. The case fatality rate remains at 1,8%. Western Area reported the highest number of cases 198 and 2 deaths.

Cholera situation in Sierra Leone - 23August 2012

For More Information contact:

World Health Organization, 21 A and B Riverside Drive, off King Harman Road, Freetown

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) conducted policy dialogue on the first National Human Resources for Health (HRH) Policy and Strategic Plan (2012-2016) at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown on 17 July 2012.
The event was opened by the Hon. Minister of health and Sanitation, Mrs Zainab Bangura. The participants included representatives of health partners, officials of line ministries and top civil servants.