By Kadijatu Bangura, D.S. Reporter
The Ministry of Health, in partnership with various development stakeholders, recently hosted a national validation workshop in Freetown to review Sierra Leone’s annual quantification forecast for family planning and maternal health commodities for the period 2026-2030.
This collaborative event brought together District Health Management Teams (DHMTs), civil society representatives, and key technical partners, including Marie Stopes Sierra Leone, CARE International, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The goal was to enhance the country’s evidence-based and data-informed approach to supply planning and forecasting.
During the workshop, participants evaluated critical factors such as demographic and morbidity trends, service delivery statistics, national consumption patterns, current stock levels, and pipeline information. This comprehensive review is vital for generating accurate annual forecasts that align with Sierra Leone’s reproductive health goals and overall national health agenda.
UNFPA reiterated its commitment to supporting these initiatives through the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, highlighting an investment of approximately $18.5 million since 2020. This funding has been instrumental in procuring essential reproductive health commodities and strengthening supply chain systems, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
Currently, an estimated 650,000 women in Sierra Leone use modern contraceptives. Projections indicate that this uptake will prevent over 250,000 unintended pregnancies, avert 110 unsafe abortions, and save the lives of 600 mothers by 2025.
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