By: Audrey Raymonda John
Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has held a strategic engagement with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) to discuss the implementation roadmap for the forthcoming Demographic and Health Survey (DHS).
The meeting, conducted in a cordial and collaborative atmosphere, focused on providing a comprehensive status update on the DHS and deliberating on critical next steps to ensure the survey’s successful rollout.
Key attendees included Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health and Sanitation; Mr. Andrew Bob Johnny, Statistician-General of Sierra Leone; Dr. Sartie Kanneh, Chief Medical Officer; Dr. Tom Sesay, Deputy Minister of Health; Mr. Mohamed Koblo Kamara, Director of the Demographic, Health, and Social Statistics Division (DHHSD) at Stats SL; and several other senior officials from both institutions.
Statistician-General Mr. Andrew Bob Johnny presented a detailed progress report on the DHS, noting that Stats SL is working closely with ICF, the global technical partner for DHS implementation. He confirmed that the DHS budget review has been completed and that revisions to the project document are currently in progress.
In his address, Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby commended Stats SL for its steadfast commitment to producing reliable and vital statistical data in support of national development.
“We are eager to see the DHS implemented this year. The Ministry urgently requires updated DHS data, as we have been operating with the 2019 report, which is no longer adequate for effective planning and implementation of our health programs,” Dr. Demby emphasized.
He reaffirmed the government’s full backing for the survey, stressing its significance in shaping health sector policies and initiatives.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sartie Kanneh urged Stats SL to expedite remaining processes and finalize the official DHS implementation contract within the next two weeks to maintain momentum.
The Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) is a nationally representative, large-scale household survey that collects essential data on health, population, and nutrition indicators. It plays a crucial role in tracking progress, informing policy decisions, and evaluating the impact of health and development programs, particularly in developing countries like Sierra Leone.