By: Saidu jalloh

saidubaben@gmail.com

Dr. Austin Demby, the Minister of Health, has assured Sierra Leoneans quality healthcare at the end of year media engagement organized by the Ministry of Health. The media engagement was on Health Accountability and was conducted on the 10th December, 2024, at Family Kingdom, Aberdeen.

Dr. Demby, in his opening remarks, assured that the healthcare of Sierra Leoneans matter, adding that the ministry would do everything they could to support every Sierra Leoneans to be as healthy as they should be. In the media engagement, Dr. Demby appreciated the work of the media and called for more positive reporting on health activities.

Minister Demby promised that they would not relent  as his administration would continue to provide quality  healthcare for all citizens. He called the media criticism as opportunities for them to do especially when dealing accountability.

Dr. Demby mentioned the achievements they had made in the last few years, in that he highlighted how they had drastically reduced maternal mortality rates to 60% and 30% infants mortality rates, and 90% vaccinations rates which is one of the highest in world and inclusive of the malaria vaccines for infants.

In addressing Public Health’s concerns, he said the government had scaled up another agency to handle public health issues which is the National Public Health Agency, they are charged with the responsibility to provide, prevention, prepare and response many potential public emergencies.

He commended President Bio for the commission of the President Maada Bio Pediatrics Hospital-of Excellence at Lumley, constructed Hospital at Kerry Town, constructed Modern day Maternal Hospitals at Kono and the completion of the Midwife School in Kenema and Marernal Teaching Radio at Kenema.

Chernor Bah, Minister of Information and Civil Education urged for freedom of information and transparency in government institutions. He demonstrated commitment and announced the firs ever Civic Festival where government officials would show the citizens what they had achieved.

He revealed that President Bio would launched the One Government Communications Strategy, which talks about how they are moving to, where they are, as well as provide comprehensive strategy for all of government and they would have a big calendar for all government activities.

The President of Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Nasrella, thanked the health education manager at NPHA and the Communication Lead at Ministry of Health for the timely information they had been provided to health reporters.

He addressed that they were expecting a change in the status quo but prior to the June’s meeting, they had been able to see significant changes in the way MoH had been providing information to the media. He called for fair treatment for both traditional media and bloggers, stating that Ministries had been given priority to bloggers than traditional media.

Dr. Demby climaxed the occasion by announcing the solarization of six government hospitals including PCHM and Ola During, and called for more media engagements to help promote health services.

 

 

 

 

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