By Kadijatu Bangura, Daily Scope Reporter
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, has officially unveiled over $2.5 million worth of new equipment and life-saving medicines aimed at enhancing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in the country.
The supplies, procured through the National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA) and the Integrated Health Projects Administration Unit (IHPAU), are part of a government-supported SRH initiative designed to significantly reduce maternal mortality rates.
A key highlight of this shipment is the provision of over 300,000 vials of heat-stable Carbetocin, an essential medication used to prevent postpartum hemorrhage, a leading cause of maternal deaths. Minister Demby emphasized that this investment is crucial for the rollout of a revised “Hubs-and-Spokes” service delivery model, which will initially connect 25 Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) with five secondary and tertiary hospitals across the districts of Bo, Bombali, Kenema, Western Area Urban, and Western Area Rural.
“This initiative aligns with our innovative life-stages approach to delivering quality healthcare and our national goal of reducing maternal mortality to fewer than 300 deaths per 100,000 live births by the end of 2025,” Demby stated. He further noted that the long-term objective is to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal target of fewer than 70 deaths by 2030.
The new service delivery model is designed to provide comprehensive Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and Nutrition services. This will be accomplished through improved infrastructure, enhanced referral systems, digital health integration, and capacity building for healthcare professionals.
The $2.5 million investment includes surgical and delivery sets, diagnostic and monitoring devices, sterilization tools, essential obstetric instruments, anesthetic machines, and portable ultrasound machines. The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to holistic, patient-centered care and called on all stakeholders to support efforts to strengthen reproductive, maternal, child, and adolescent health services nationwide.
For further information, please contact Daily Scope Newspaper at dailyscopemedia@gmail.com.
