By: Mohamed Sahr mohamedsahrpro@gmail.com
In a bid to accelerate progress towards the proclamation of Universal Health Coverage by United Nations with the view of achieving quality health care, Ministry of Health has championed resilient health care system across the country ahead of the commemoration of the Universal Health Coverage Day 2023.
The event took place on the 11th December,2023 during a press briefing at Youyi building in Freetown.
Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health said with the tremendous work of the ministry especially to providing affordable, available and accessible quality health care to every citizen in the country as the fundamental principles irrespective of age, gender, tribe and region. He added that Sierra Leone takes a unique path in the preparedness and response mechanism in handling pandemics which lots of countries across the world are yarning to implement.
Dr. Demby mentioned that the health care system in the country caters for everybody in the lifestyles ranging from the pregnant woman, newborn child, kindergarten, adult to senior citizen.
“We have programs, services and interventions directed to pregnant woman for the delivery of a healthier baby,” Dr. Demby said.
He furthered that the ministry rolls out programs and services to the newborn babies to ensure that they survive; adding that vaccination, anti-malaria, nutrition among others is equally directed to the babies.
Minister Demby said that proper and affordable healthcare that focuses to schools serves as a critical component in ernesting the Universal Health Coverage. He averred that the ministry has set both immunization, malaria and nutrition targets in the five life stages to order to enhance their cognitive and health accomplishment. “All of these programs only matter when the influence the people involved,” Dr. Demby revealed.
He said the national program would not make progress without the different health workforce sectors in streamlining the operations. Minister affirmed that they are committed to move from linear paper based to digitalized system that allows to track and monitor the health system happening across the country.
He mentioned that they are poised to scale up the drugs delivery with a system that tracks those commodities to ensure that they are accounted for, as the same thing retain a system and service to the doorsteps of the people. “The importance of universal health care is primary healthcare,” Dr. Demby said.
He noted that the ministry is committed to focus on teenage pregnancy with comprehensive attention given, addressing quality healthcare system with keynote on physical infrastructure such as water, stable electricity that would keep the facilities running, staff complement, creating a referral system, keeping the primary and secondary health facilities going as well as implementing a critical system that is digital based especially to pregnant women across the country.
Dr. Innocent Nuwagira, WHO Country Representative said the commemoration of the 5th International Universal Health Coverage Day 2023 accelerates progress to quality healthcare system, and serves as a platform to advocate over and emphasize the relevant of strong health system as well as the universal health coverage.
He stated that the importance of COVID-19 pandemic provided thorough commitment to prepare for any future pandemic. Dr. Nuwagira mentioned that the Universal Health Coverage campaign aims to recognize progress, raise awareness about the importance of UHC and empower policy makers. “WHO is committed to continue supporting Sierra Leone to protect, promote and provide quality healthcare system, Dr. Nuwagira said.
He added that the World Health Organization is ready to provide documents, guidelines and tools that would ensure effective person-centered life stages in the country. Dr. Nuwagira said WHO calls for political action to assure health for all. Dr. Nuwagira thanked President Bio and the government of Sierra Leone for the unwavering commitment to providing quality healthcare system in the country.
Ms. Liv Elin Indreiten UNICEF Sierra Leone Deputy Representative Program embracing the power of technology and infrastructure is one of the five top priorities of the forthcoming 2024-2030 National Mid-Term Development Plan of the government of Sierra Leone.
She maintained that the Global Digital Health Monitor in 2023 positions Sierra Leone at assessment 2 in terms of the country’s digital maturity scorecard compared to the global average of 3, and the maximum possible score of 5.
Ms. Indreiten said the 2022 National Digital Health Landscape Assessment conducted by DPPI and UNICEF, identified key gaps that range from inadequate ICT infrastructure and architecture, weak regulation, and low ICT capacity among health workforce in addition to weak coordination, and fragmentation and budgetary funding gaps.
She noted that in order to address these issues, UNICEF in partnership with GIZ and USAID has worked closely with the Government of Sierra Leone for developing the 2024-2026 National Digital Health Roadmap.
Ms. Indreiten mentioned that the roadmap represents the collective actions, outputs, and outcomes of over 45 public, private organizations and development partners especially from the health and ICT sectors who are engaged in the process of roadmap development.
She said UNICEF is dedicated to facilitating ongoing stakeholder involvement, enhancing the capacity of the health workforce, providing infrastructure, promoting standardization, and implement I innovative digital health tools that are specifically designed to align with the objectives outlined in the roadmap and achieving universal health coverage outcomes. “The roadmap implementation in Sierra Leone will establish an Inclusive, transparent, and well-coordinated system for sustainable digital transformation and ensure efficient use of resources to maximize the benefits,” UNICEF Country Representative said.
Charles Mambu, Executive Director of Health for all Coalition said in order for citizens to exercise their rights, health should be another right issue which everybody irrespective of physical or mental challenges and they must have unlimited access to available, affordable and accessible healthcare service delivery in the country.
He emphasized that his organization would continue to work with the Ministry of Health and development partners to ensure that investment in the health sector remains paramount. “We are pleased to hear that the country’s high level infant mortality rates have reduced to 4.43% per one thousand life births,” Mr. Mambu said.
He commended the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Health for such remarkable achievement. Mr. Mambu expressed that the 4.43% reduction of infant mortality rates is not enough and more need to be done especially to increasing the health workforce, capacity building and investment across the nation.