By: Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter
The Ministry of Health and Sanitation, in collaboration with its partners, is set to introduce a groundbreaking Maternal and Child Health Handbook in 2025. This initiative will replace the existing Antenatal Care (ANC) maternal book and the Under-5 card currently used in the health system.
The announcement was made by Matron Mary Fullah, Chief Nursing Officer at the Ministry, during a maternal and child health review meeting in Bo. The new handbook aims to strengthen the connection between maternal and child health from pregnancy through the first five years of a child’s life. According to Matron Fullah, the handbook will enhance parental knowledge through health education, promote responsible parenting, and foster a continuum of care.
Matron Fullah outlined several features of the handbook, emphasizing its comprehensive nature. It will capture vital health records for both mothers and children, consolidating multiple existing health documents, including the ANC card, Tetanus Toxoid (TT) card, and Under-5 card. Additionally, it will provide user-friendly and visually engaging health education messages and graphics to improve understanding among parents and caregivers. “The handbook is designed to improve communication between healthcare providers and clients, ensure accurate referrals, and enhance the efficiency of healthcare workers,” Matron Fullah explained.
The maternal and child health handbook is not a new concept globally; it has been successfully implemented in countries such as Japan and several African nations. In Sierra Leone, the initiative has already been piloted in three districts, with lessons learned and success stories informing the finalized version of the handbook.
While the initial rollout will be paper-based, the Ministry plans to transition to a digital format in the future. Matron Fullah noted that digitalization will depend on the development of adequate infrastructure to ensure seamless implementation. “The paper-based handbook will remain in use until the necessary systems are in place,” she said.
