Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, delivering a powerful keynote statement at the official opening of the just concludedGlobal Forum on Innovation and Action for Immunisation & Child Survival in Maputo, Mozambique.
Sierra Leone’s strides at improving child survival was spotlighted at the just concluded Global Forum on Innovation and Action for Immunization & Child Survival in Maputo, Mozambique. Co-hosted by the Governments of Sierra Leone and Mozambique, in collaboration with the Government of Spain, “la Caixa” Foundation, the Gates Foundation and UNICEF, the international conference brought together governments, ministers, global health leaders, policymakers, researchers and philanthropists for three days to discuss ways of accelerating progress made in improving child survival by expanding access to life-saving immunization services and ending preventable child deaths in low and middle income countries. The timing of this year’s convening is particularly critical as it comes just five years shy of the deadline to meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, delivered an inspiring keynote statement, urging the international community to carefully evaluate progress and chart a more meaningful and collective way forward to ending preventable child mortality not just in Africa, but also around the world.
Dr. Demby said; “We have the tools. We have the science and we have the vaccines, diagnostics and treatments. What we need is equitable access, timely and sustainable investment across the continuum of care.”
Global Child Survival Efforts at a Critical Crossroad
Globally, significant progress has been made in reducing under five mortality with child deaths reduced by half since 2000. But, current data is screaming for urgent action. With almost five million (4.3million) child deaths globally, sub-Saharan Africa reports for the steepest decline in under five mortality with over half (58%) of all deaths. Preventable diseases like malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia, and meningitis remain the leading causes of global child mortality with malnutrition accounting for nearly half (45%) of all deaths. This is a grim reminder that the journey ahead remains challenging as child survival efforts are now at a crcitical crossroad.
In Sierra Leone, significant improvements have been made in child health with child survival now a top priority for the government. In fact the country has slashed under-five mortality by over half (53%) and neonatal deaths by nearly half (38%). The Minister of Health alluded to this point in his keynote address.
“We must maintain and sustain political commitment. We face shrinking international resources ecosystem, rising debts, and competing priorities. But child survival is not a competing priority. It is the foundation of all other priorities.” Dr. Demby believes that no nation can prosper when its children are dying and no economy can grow when its future is buried before it begins or when mothers mourn instead of nurture. The World is experiencing highly unpredictable times with global crises and financial uncertainties threatening to disrupt critical lifesaving interventions for children including nutrition services. The call for stronger political will and accelerated pace for countries to achieve SDGs by 2030 is louder than ever.
The number of children dying from preventable causes are still unacceptably high in Sierra Leone with its under-five mortality rated among the highest in sub-Sahara Africa. Available data from 2021 estimates under-five mortality (U5MR) at 104.7 per 1000 live births putting the country off-track to achieving SDG target of 25 or fewer deaths per 1000 live births by 2030.
But, this narrative is beginning to shift with the country making quantum leak towards improving maternal and child health outcomes. Significant milestones have been achieved in establishing good governance structures, data systems, and commodity management frameworks with the goals firmly set on reducing U5MR to less than 71 per 1,000 live births by 2025.
The country’s goal is to reach zero-dose children by integrating immunization services with nutrition, WASH, maternal health education and broader awareness of child health programmes.
That is why Minister Demby emphasizes that; “Sierra Leone is not waiting for perfect conditions. We are acting now with what we have and where we are. We are mobilizing domestic resources, reforming our health systems, and driving transformation with our partners through the Four A’s:- Accompaniment – Alignment – Acceleration – Accountability.”
Last year, the Minister of Health declared maternal and child survival an emergency, with a response similar to the Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics, committing to “accountability at the highest level.”
As the Global Forum on Innovation and Action for Immunisation & Child Survival in Maputo-Mozambique came to an end, health leader shared not just knowledge, but commitment.
The conference was not just about analysing concepts, but exploring a vision that is situated in a collective will to change health outcomes for every child across our continent. Dr. Demby pointed out that for a more productive and peaceful continent, global health leaders should set bold new continential targets that will redefine the pathways for improving child survival in Africa.
The Minister reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to a path forward that is guided by President Julius Maada Bio’s flagship human capital development and his championship of immunization on the Africa continent. This forum, the Minister said, has reaffirmed “something we know instinctively: Investing in children is not optional. It is a moral imperative and an economic necessity.” He urged each country represented at the convening to commit to nation-specific platforms to review progress, recalibrate strategies, and renew collective goals on child survival and immunization in Africa.
Dr. Austin Demby met with Madam Graca Machel, Women and Child Advocate and former First Lady for Both Mozambique and South Africa.
Sierra Leone is Making Quantum Leap