More than 1.5 million people in Sierra Leone will have access to free healthcare for the first time in their lives from today, in a move largely funded by the British Government.
Tuesday 27 April 2010
We believe the decision to remove treatment fees for children under five and pregnant women will save thousands of lives in a country where one in five children die before they are five and one in eight women die from pregnancy-related complications.
It is estimated that 233,000 children’s lives could be saved if healthcare fees were removed in 20 African countries. When a similar initiative was introduced in Niger consultations for under-fives quadrupled and antenatal care visits doubled.
More than 1.5 million people in Sierra Leone gained access to free healthcare for the first time in their lives in Sierra Leone on 27 April, Independence Day. Pregnant women and nurses celebrate the news at a health centre in Bonthe, in the south of the country.
Drugs arriving at a medical clinic in Bonthe, Sierra Leone.
The newly painted charge sign outside a medical centre. The move to free healthcare is largely funded by the British government.
Women receive free drugs to treat their children at a children's hospital. It is estimated that 233,000 children’s lives could be saved if healthcare fees were removed in 20 African countries.
Tibebu Debebe, Sierra Leone country director for Save the Children, said: “It’s a momentous day for the children of Sierra Leone. It shows that real change in poor African countries is possible with the right sort of commitment from the national government and the right sort of financial support and technical advice from donors and rich country governments.”
Dr Kargbo, director of reproductive child health at Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation, said: “Having worked in our health system for many years, I can say this is the biggest change it has ever undergone and its impact on saving the lives of our women and children will be truly significant. This is an amazing opportunity for Sierra Leone to improve the health of its nation.”
Mr Debebe continued: “With the UK election fast-approaching we want to see solid commitments to massively reduce the number of children and pregnant women dying unnecessarily. Removing user-fees is one way to do that. Our challenge for the next government is to keep supporting Sierra Leone through the challenges it will undoubtedly face in the first phase of its free healthcare plans and to extend support to other countries.”
The British Government has been supporting Sierra Leone with aid since its military intervention in 2000. It has, for example, purchased $8.8m worth of drugs in support of freeing up healthcare. In a country where 70% of people live on less than a dollar a day, pregnant women who face complications in labour often give birth at home because they cannot afford to go to a health clinic.
The cost of an ordinary delivery is around $10 and a caesarean costs at least $100.
Notes to editors For more information interviews or case studies please contact Save the Children’s press office on +44 (0)20 7012 6844 or out of hours on +44 (0)7831 650409.