Freetown, July 13, 09. (MOHS)- The Director of the Reproductive and Child Health Programme, Dr. Samuel Kargbo has expressed the need for the execution of Maternal and Newborn Mortality Audit and Review exercise countrywide, with a view to improving on the indictors of the country’s Maternal and Neonatal Records.

Dr, Samuel Kargbo

Addressing participants drawn from all the districts: Midwives, District Medical Officers, Community Health Officers at a two Day Maternal and Neonatal Death Audit/ Review workshop at the Hill  Valley Hotel in Freetown, Dr. Kargbo underscored the importance of Maternal and Newborn Death Audit and Review at district and  chiefdom levels, noting that it would not only improve data processing but would  develop a culture of responsibility and commitment towards the reduction of the high incidence of Maternal and Neonatal mortality in the country.

He described the move which is being sponsored by DFID through UNICEF as part of the Performance Contract Bond signed with President Koroma towards achieving the health Indicators for the Fourth and Fifth Millennium Development Goals by way of promoting Maternal and Child Health to a satisfactory level.

Dr. Magbity, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

Making his closing remarks, the Director of Post Graduate Studies and Research, Dr.  Donald Bash Taqi observed that though there are lots of obstacles within their mandate as health professionals, but with more efforts on the low coverage, through Simple and Low Cost High impact interventions, they could make the difference.

He reiterated that Supportive Supervision is  key in meeting the challenges  ahead, adding that with commitment from colleagues and partners to improve on the implementation of the District’s Six Months Plan of activities, he is optimistic of achieving the Ministry’s desired goal.

Making his remarks on behalf UNICEF’s, , Maternal and Child Health Manager, Dr. Augustin Kabano, said his organization is proud to be part of the implementation of the District’s Six Months Planned activities, noting the resourceful collaboration with the District Health Management Teams in previous work done.

Dr. Kabano encouraged the districts to focus on outreach activities, adding that they should make sure that it makes a difference in the coverage of UNICEF’s intervention.

The Manager, Reproductive Health and Family Planning, Dr. Francis Smart  made a Power Point Presentation on the Proposed Maternal and Neonatal Death Audit/ Review Forms, whilst the Monitoring and  Evaluation Specialist of the Health Ministry’s Directorate of Planning and Information, Dr. Edward Magbity, chaired the occasion.
 

JAK/ MOHS/SLENA