Sierra Leone News

Articles in this edition include: 

1. Review of Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV in Sierra Leone
2. Sierra Leone and Liberia Undertook Joint Training on WHO OneHealth Tool 
3. Acute Malnutrition Situation in Children 1st Quarter 2012

WHO Sierra Leone Newsletter May June 2012

ierra Leone launched commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week 2012 on 1 August 2012 on the theme “Understanding the past - planning the future”. Every year World Breastfeeding Week is commemorated to promote and support early initiation (immediately after delivery) and exclusive breastfeeding of children 0-6 months as well as continued breast feeding until two years and beyond. The event was launched by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Alhassan Seisay.

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) conducted policy dialogue on the first National Human Resources for Health (HRH) Policy and Strategic Plan (2012-2016) at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown on 17 July 2012.
The event was opened by the Hon. Minister of health and Sanitation, Mrs Zainab Bangura. The participants included representatives of health partners, officials of line ministries and top civil servants.

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) with support from SABIN Vaccine Institute, WHO and UNICEF, held a one day symposium to raise awareness of Members of Parliament (MPs) on the importance of vaccination and solicit their support for sustainable immunization financing (SIF).
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon Chukuma Johnson delivering the key note address said, “parliamentarians must not underestimate their critical role in achieving the goal of health care financing.”

Sierra Leone launched a National Cancer Registry and the Sierra Leone Cancer Charity on 12 June 2012 in Freetown. Mr Mamoud Tarawallie, Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, launched the Registry and the Charity on behalf of H.E the President of the Republic.

Sierra Leone commemorated World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) 2012 under the theme “Tobacco Industry Interference” on 31 May. The Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) in collaboration with WHO and with support from other partners coordinated the commemoration.
The purpose was to raise awareness on the global tobacco epidemic and to mobilize the public to support smoke free environment.

The Sierra Leone Road Transport Authority (SLRTA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, WHO and other stakeholders in the Road Transport Industry held a three day workshop in Bo from 22-24th May 2012. The objective of the Workshop was to develop a Road Safety Policy for the country and eventually a National Road Safety Strategic Plan as part of efforts to address the rising road crashes in the country.

The Sub-national polio immunizations days campaign commenced to administer Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) to children 0-59 months in selected communities on 11 May 2012. The campaign will end on 14 May. It will focus mainly on “hard to reach areas” and areas “poorly covered or missed” in the previous polio national immunization days campaigns. The campaign was officially launched in Freetown by the Hon. Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Mr. Tamba Borbor Sawyer.

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) conducted a stakeholders’ consultative meeting from 8-9 May 2012. The purpose of the meeting was to seek stakeholders input, build consensus and develop a road map in finalizing the draft National Human Resources for Health (HRH) Policy and Strategic Plan for Sierra Leone.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kisito Daoh, in his opening statement said that the meeting should serve as an opportunity for stakeholders to make inputs into the documents which will inform & advise the Ministry in addressing HRH challenges.

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) conducted a stakeholders’ consultative meeting from 8-9 May 2012. The purpose of the meeting was to seek stakeholders input, build consensus and develop a road map in finalizing the draft National Human Resources for Health (HRH) Policy and Strategic Plan for Sierra Leone.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kisito Daoh, in his opening statement said that the meeting should serve as an opportunity for stakeholders to make inputs into the documents which will inform & advise the Ministry in addressing HRH challenges.