In 2005, Sierra Leone was ranked 176 out of 177 countries by the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI), a comparative measure of life expectancy, literacy, education, and standard of living for countries worldwide. Sierra Leone has one of the highest fertility rates in the world. It also has the highest maternal mortality and child mortality rates. The life expectancy in Sierra Leone is only 41 years, the 8th worst in the world. Much of the country's health infrastructure has been devastated by the 11 years of civil war and conflict. Access to family planning services is abysmally low.
Family Health Alliance (FHA) joined a humanitarian team to visit Sierra Leone in 2007/2008. During this visit, FHA conducted a needs assessment of reproductive health services, especially in the villages.
During the needs assessment process, FHA staff conducted a number of focus group discussions with the local midwives and traditional birth attendants in villages of Bo district to gain a better understanding of the challenges in providing health services to women in their area. Interviews were also conducted with health providers working in local public hospitals as well as with the staff of several NGOs who provide family planning and reproductive health services.
The results of the needs assessment were presented to the Sierra Leone Minister of Health. The results were also shared with the staff of the Ministry of Health and the heads of several local hospitals and clinics.
During the meetings with the Minister of Health, FHA staff made specific recommendations in regards to the expansion of family planning and health services in the rural areas of Sierra Leone.
The recommendations included: focusing more on basic and primary healthcare as opposed to specialized care to better utilize the limited resources; possibility of initiating mobile health care units to address the issues of transportation and women's inability to travel far.
It was also recommended that the Ministry works with the international NGOs to avoid duplication of clinics in the same geographical region. A proper registry would assist in efficient allocation of resources.
In addition to the authorities and individuals from Sierra Leone, the results of the needs assessment were also presented in the United States to students from various universities and were discussed with individuals and organizations working in the international health field.
Print Page