The Ministry of Health and Sanitation launched three documents on Reproductive and Child Health programme on 7 November 2012. The documents included Reproductive, Newborn and Child Health (RNCH) Policy 2011-2015, RNCH Strategy 2011-2015 and a Strategic Plan for Adolescent and Young People’s Health & Development 2011-2015. The Acting Minister of Health and Sanitation Hon. Borbor Sawyerr launched the documents. State functionaries, UN agencies and other development partners, and health implementing partners attended the ceremony.
Delivering the key note address, Hon. Sawyerr said “the launching of these documents is a landmark in the government’s effort to improving the health of the targeted population.” He thanked the partners for supporting development of the documents and urged them to continue the support for their implementation.
Statements of support were delivered by representatives of the Ministry of Education, the UN family and the NGOs. Speaking on behalf of the UN family, Dr. W. Alemu, WHO Representative in Sierra Leone underscored the importance of the three policy documents noting that they will help the country focus on priority interventions at all levels in addressing the specific needs of newborns and adolescents as part of efforts towards meeting the MDG targets by 2015. He urged all development partners to work more closely with the government for the work ahead. “It is our hope that these documents launched today will be supported and implemented jointly by all stakeholders”, he added and pledged the support of the UN family to that end.

The RNCH Policy outlines steps to accelerate MDGs progress and focus on equity and reduction of disparity in reproductive, newborn and child health care. The RNCH Strategy outlines the strategies and key activities required to achieve RNCH goals and objectives. Meanwhile, the Strategic Plan for Adolescent and Young People’s Health and Development provides a framework that will guide the line Ministries particularly Health and Sanitation; Education, Science and Technology, and Youths and Sports.

Implementation of the documents will give a boost to the Free Health Care Initiative that was launched in 2010 for pregnant women, lactating mother and children under 5 years. They will also lead to improvement in the delivery of adolescent friendly health services in the country.

Sierra Leone Launches Reproductive & Child Health Policy, Strategy & Adolescent Health Strategic Plan

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