By alhajim.kamara@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – In a significant gesture towards advancing reproductive health and combating sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) handed over a generous donation to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation on Thursday, April 18th, 2024. The donation included 2.5 million condoms, 55 tablets, and 200 power banks, aiming to bolster healthcare delivery and promote reproductive health rights in Sierra Leone.
The handover ceremony, marking this historic event, took place at the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services (DPS) Conference hall within the Pharmaceutical Board compound in New England Ville.
Nadia Rasheed, the UNFPA Country Representative, emphasized the importance of this donation, underscoring its role in facilitating the effective management and distribution of essential medical resources. She noted that these supplies, procured on behalf of the Ministry of Health through funding from the Global Fund, will contribute to enhancing healthcare delivery across the country.
Rasheed highlighted the critical role of condom distribution in promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as in preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. She stressed the significance of ensuring access to condoms for sexually active youths and vulnerable populations, emphasizing UNFPA’s commitment to this cause.
Addressing prevailing statistics, Rasheed pointed out that condom usage remains relatively low among men and women in Sierra Leone, contributing to alarming rates of unintended pregnancies and early pregnancies among women. She expressed appreciation for the partnership with the Sierra Leonean government in advocating for reproductive health rights and ensuring every pregnancy is wanted.
Dr. Charles Senesie, Deputy Minister of Health, expressed gratitude for UNFPA’s longstanding support to the government in various health sectors. He highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare infrastructure, capacity building, and the solarization of healthcare facilities, which will ensure efficient distribution and utilization of donated tablets and power banks.
The Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of effective monitoring and response mechanisms for condom distribution, noting the role of ICT equipment in addressing gaps and ensuring timely responses to community needs.
Representatives from the Reproductive Health and Family Planning sector reiterated their commitment to ensuring the swift delivery of donated items to beneficiaries. They emphasized the dual role of condoms in contraception and disease prevention, underscoring their significance in promoting public health.
Abdul Rahman Sesay, Director General of the National AIDS Secretariat, highlighted the collaborative efforts needed to combat HIV/AIDS and praised UNFPA’s timely donation in addressing stock shortages.
Dr. Lawrence Sandi, Managing Director of the National Medical Supply Agency (NMSA), acknowledged the comprehensive national supply chain strategy and assured that the donated items would complement ongoing procurement efforts to meet sector demands effectively.
The donation from UNFPA represents a crucial step towards strengthening healthcare systems and advancing reproductive health rights in Sierra Leone, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting public health initiatives. AMK/19/4/2024