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.
The Minister underscored the importance of the HRH Policy and Strategic Plan as a guide to building appropriate human resource capacity to support effective implementation of the National Health Sector Strategic Plan in line with the government’s development goals on health. 

The HRH Policy and Strategic Plan were developed under the leadership of MoHS with technical and financial support of WHO through funds provided by the European Union. All relevant stakeholders including public and private institutions and development partners have been actively involved in the process of the preparation of the documents.

Dr Wondimagegnehu Alemu, WHO Representative delivering his remarks at the forum commended the leadership role of the Ministry during the development of the documents and thanked the sector partners for supporting the process. He described the documents as important ingredients in strengthening the national health systems and services as envisioned in the sector plan.

Sierra Leone is classified as one of the countries with HRH crisis. Currently, health care facilities are operating with less than the required health workforce. There is also the challenge of internal capacity to manage the HRH functions of the Ministry. The Ministry is as well faced with the low production of skilled and specialized health workers and weak recruitment systems. It is expected that effective implementation of the new policy and strategic plan will help to address these challenges and strengthen the HRH component of the Ministry. 

The Strategic Plan outlines framework to attain objectives of the HRH Policy which and are organized under thematic areas such as (i) Leadership and Governance with the aim of involving top political leaders and partners through strong coordinating mechanisms; (ii) training and continuing education, (iii) management, information and research and (iv) partnerships, advocacy and resource mobilization.

Sierra Leone Commemorates World Breastfeeding Week 2012 

For More Information contact:

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

Phone : 232-22-233565 , +232-76-777878;

e-mail: whosl [at] sl.afro.who.int

Website www.whosierraleone.org