Kailahun, August 10, 09. (MOHS) – The Minster of Health and Sanitation, Sheiku Tejan Koroma and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu have lauded the Kailahun District Health Management Team for offering Free Caesarean Section Operation to Pregnant Women with complication.

Minister of Health Mr. Sheiku Tejan Koroma

Addressing both Primary Health Care and Hospital staff during an Assessment Mission of Health Care delivery services on the challenges and the Way forward, Health and Sanitation Minister, Sheiku Tejan Koroma said the Kailahun District Health Management Team is working in line with his current policy to ensure that pregnant women and the under five children gets free medical treatment in all Government Health Facilities.

He commended the Kailahun District Health Team and the other districts that have already taken the lead to treat pregnant women with caesarean section Free, devoid of service charges.

The Minister disclosed that plans are currently underway together with partners in Health, and Donors to facilitate the implementation of the proposed Free Service Charges, adding that institutional delivery is now the focus of the Ministry with a view to achieving the desired goal of the Ministry’s Reproductive and Child Health Strategic National Plan to reduce maternal and newborn mortality and HIV/AIDS countrywide.

Mr. Koroma noted the constraints of doctors and nurses and other health staff, pointing out that the improvement of their conditions of service is a concern to the Ministry, and being given serious attention.

He encouraged them to be committed and dedicated, and implored them to work as a team towards the reduction of the high incidence of maternal and child deaths in the country, stressing the need for Paramount Chiefs and their communities to institute By- Laws against Home delivery.

The WHO Representative, Dr. Alemu said part of the objective of the mission aims at assessing the availability of systems and how it works in relation to affordability and equitable service delivery of all category of health workers.

He commended the Minister for his vision, adding that together with the Minister, they have visited eleven districts, and expressed optimism that the high mortality of mothers and children would be changed in the not too distant future.

Addressing the Final Year Maternal and Child Health  (MCH) Aide Trainees, Dr. Alemu described their cadre as that which is ready to save lives, and that the process starts with the Pregnant Woman, which he said they are obliged to follow on to  the point of delivery.  

He reiterated WHO’s commitment in complementing the efforts of government to ensure quality and accessible Health Care delivery services in the country.

The District Medical Officer, Dr. Jibao Sandy and the Hospital Care Manager, Dr. Dudley Pratt disclosed plans to construct Birth Waiting Rooms to encourage more pregnant women towards safe motherhood.

Dr. Sandy told the team that Five Basic Emergency Maternal and Newborn Care (BEMONC) Centres have been identified for services in Koindu, Buedu, Daru, Pendembu and Jojoima to offer all the functions needed for safe motherhood.

The two doctors said their Needs included an X-ray unit, a Blood Bank, Maternity Complex, two Utility Vehicles, a Dental Unit, a functional Mortuary and an Ultra Sound Machine.

They opined that their “Belleh Uman” Support Group programme has been very instrumental in the fight against Maternal and Newborn deaths, describing their referral system as very encouraging.

  The Minister and team, during a conducted tour visited various facilities, including the Main theatre, the Laboratory, the Dispensary, the Maternity and Children’s Wards.

The Matron of the Hospital, Joya Lamin, described the team’s visit as motivating and resourceful, hoping that the human resource capacity would also be given consideration to enhance staffing.

Similar visit was made to Kono where the Minister and Team also deliberated on key issues relating to the overall improvement of both primary and secondary health care in the district.

JAK/MOHS/SLENA.