By: Mohamed Sahr
In an effort to improve nutrition outcomes in Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Health (MOH), through the Directorate of Food and Nutrition, convened a high-level Nutrition Technical Review Meeting on Wednesday, 2nd July 2024, at the Freetown City Council Hall.
The meeting aimed to assess ongoing progress, address persistent challenges, and develop strategies for improving the national nutrition landscape. It marks a significant collaborative effort to align, accelerate, and strengthen healthcare delivery through effective nutrition interventions, particularly targeting women and children.
Key discussions focused on the implementation of the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy and the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, both of which are designed to reduce stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies. Despite some progress, recent surveys show that malnutrition remains a serious public health concern, with nearly 30% of children under five stunted and 6% acutely malnourished.
Dr. Sartie Kenneh, Chief Medical Officer at MOH, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding nutrition-sensitive programs.
“This meeting is crucial in evaluating our strategies and ensuring that nutrition remains a top priority in national development plans,” he stated.
Dr. Vandana Josh, UNICEF Health Nutritionist, emphasized the long-term importance of sustained investment in nutrition.
“Malnutrition is not just a health issue it affects education, economic productivity, and national development. We must prioritize interventions like exclusive breastfeeding, fortified foods, and community-based nutrition programs,” she urged.
While commending Sierra Leone’s achievements in reducing child mortality, Dr. Josh noted that more must be done to meet global nutrition targets. Adding that with continued collaboration between government, partners, and communities, they can ensure every child has the right start in life.
Hon. Bernadette Songa, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, emphasized Parliament’s role in advancing nutrition policy.
She assured that Parliament will advocate for increased budgetary allocation to nutrition programs and hold relevant sectors accountable for implementation. Madam Songa also highlighted the importance of cross-sectorial collaboration
“Food security and nutrition are intertwined. We must support smallholder farmers, promote school feeding programs, and empower women with nutrition education,” Hon. Songa stated.
Abu Bakarr Jalloh, National Coordinator of FOCUS 1000, a prominent local NGO, emphasized the importance of community engagement in promoting behavioral change.
He noted that their approach involves working with community health workers, religious leaders, and local councils to promote best practices in infant and young child feeding,” he explained.
Jalloh also praised the success of the “Feed Salone” initiative, which integrates nutrition into local agriculture efforts.
“By linking farmers to markets and promoting diverse diets, we can improve household nutrition while boosting local economies,” he added.
The meeting concluded with several actionable recommendations, including:Scaling up nutrition-specific interventions, expanding access to therapeutic foods for malnourished children and micronutrient supplements for pregnant women, strengthening nutrition data systems, enforcing food fortification standards, and increasing domestic funding, including advocating for greater public and private investment in nutrition
The Ministry of Health and its development partners reaffirmed their commitment to achieving Sierra Leone’s nutrition goals in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Malnutrition-Free Africa Framework.