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The Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), in collaboration with the Pujehun District Health Management Team, successfully concluded a comprehensive stakeholder meeting on Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) on Tuesday, 20th November 2023.
Held at the Pujehun District Council Hall in Pujehun, the meeting saw the active participation of various government bodies, including Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, alongside pivotal stakeholders such as the District Health Management Team, Civil Society Organizations, officials from the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, and members of the press among others.
Mrs. Patricia M. Bah, the Program Manager of the School and Adolescent Health Program at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the significance of this meeting in contributing to Sierra Leone’s holistic development, especially in addressing RMNCAH challenges that have impacted the nation economically and socially.
The core focus of the meeting was to enhance community awareness concerning sexual reproductive health and rights, adolescent sexual reproductive health, maternal and neonatal health issues. The intended outcome aimed to drive positive health-seeking behavior, thereby curbing adolescent pregnancies, sexual and gender-based violence, while concurrently boosting facility-based deliveries.
Underlining the gravity of adolescent health and teenage pregnancy, Mrs. Bah underscored the World Health Organization’s definition of adolescence, emphasizing the need to address the unique challenges faced by this age group.
A wide array of critical topics dominated the discussions, including family planning, gender equality, maternal and child nutrition, obstetric complications, readiness for referrals and deliveries, and the pressing issue of cervical cancer.
Representing civil society organizations, Ibrahim Borgiwa Swaray, Chairman of the Civil Society Forum in Pujehun District, shed light on the marginalized role of women in decision-making processes, particularly concerning their health. Swaray urged collective support for the Ministry of Health’s initiatives.
Mabel King, the District Focal Person for Adolescents, emphasized the undermining impact of religion, culture, and tradition on women’s voices, while also highlighting key challenges such as delayed healthcare-seeking behavior, low male involvement in child health services, childhood malnutrition, and high immunization drop-out rates. King stressed that addressing malnutrition during pregnancy is crucial to averting adverse outcomes.
Sahr Emmanuel Yambasu, Chief Administrator of Pujehun District Council, commended the Ministry of Health for its commendable efforts in advancing healthcare delivery. He reiterated the council’s commitment to supporting national health endeavors, emphasizing the pivotal role both women and men play in community well-being. (Clonazepam)
The collaborative efforts showcased at this meeting underscored a collective commitment towards bolstering Sierra Leone’s health landscape, ensuring a brighter future for all citizens.
