December 15, 2021
BY: MOHAMED SAHR
Ministry of Health and Sanitation in collaboration with partners has commemorated International Universal Health Coverage Day with theme “Leave No One’s Health Behind: Invest in Health System for All’’ on Tuesday 14th December 2021 at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown.
When giving the keynote address, the Vice President of the Republic Sierra Leone His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said the Government of Sierra Leone with support from donor partners have work tremendously to ensure that every Sierra Leoneans have a better health care facility.
He said sometimes last year the Government of Sierra Leone launched the roadmap to the Universal Health Coverage that would lead the country to a sustainable health care system.
“We have increased budget allocation to the health sector from 6% progressive to 11.6% today,’’ Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said.
He noted that the Government of President Bio has recruited four thousand health care workers across the country; and assured all and sundry to do more next year.
The Vice President stated that by 2022 the Government would add fifteen per cent of the country’s GDP to the health sector in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the treatment facilities even in the remote part of the country.
He affirmed that the Government has institutionalized a very effective emergency ambulance and medical delivery system to meet international standards.
Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh disclosed that 4.4 billion Leones has been funded to support nutrition across the country thereby scaling up the maternal system in Sierra Leone.
“Good nutrition is vital to safe delivery of a new born child as well helps the growth of the child in particular,’’ he said.
He said Sierra Leone has established a cancer care for pregnant women and a secretariat for affordable healthcare service.
Adding that, sixty million grants was approved by the World Bank in accelerating the Universal Health Care system in Sierra Leone.
Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby said Sierra Leone has been grappling with having an effective heath care system for a very long time.
He stated that since 2002 there has been a significant increment of health systems in Sierra Leone particularly the free health care.
Dr. Austin Demby said the outbreak of the Ebola served as a wakeup call for the strengthening of the healthcare system in the country.
“The National Health Strategy Plan serves as a strategy that would be delivered to promote a healthy environment for health and information systems,’’ he said.
He requested all institutions and partners to use the Strategic Plan for better delivery.
Kobi Benley, Country Representative of Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) stated that the United Kingdom remains more committed in terms of strengthening the health care system in Sierra Leone.
She noted that the UK has partnered with other organization in uplifting the free health care and decrease in maternal death.
“Education and technical assistance have been provided by the UK to Sierra Leone,’’ Kobi Benley said.
She disclosed that the United Kingdom is steadfast in promoting gender equality and free health care in Sierra Leone.
Kofi Amponsah, World Health Organisation Country Representative said the WHO is honoured to participate in the Universal Health Coverage commemoration.
“Our health is wealth and therefore, the WHO is ready to place UHC on a global height,’’ he said.
He thanked His Excellency the Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh and the World Bank for supporting the health care facility in Sierra Leone.
Kofi Amponsah urged the Government of Sierra Leone to strengthen the COVID 19 vaccine procedures thereby explaining the efficacy of the vaccines.