The Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, has called for intensified efforts to reduce preventable newborn deaths in Sierra Leone, stressing the need for stronger healthcare interventions and collective action to safeguard the lives of mothers and infants across the country.

The call was made during the 2nd Annual Conference of the Pediatric Association of Sierra Leone (PASL), held under the theme: “Healthy Starts, Hopeful Futures: Strengthening Newborn Care in Sierra Leone.”

Delivering her goodwill message at the conference, the Minister highlighted neonatal mortality as one of the leading contributors to child mortality in Sierra Leone, emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen healthcare services before, during and after childbirth.

She noted that improving antenatal, delivery and postnatal care remains critical to ensuring the survival and well-being of newborns. The Minister also pointed to broader social challenges, including child marriage, teenage pregnancy and harmful cultural practices, which continue to undermine maternal and child health outcomes.

According to her, addressing those underlying factors is essential to achieving lasting improvements in newborn and child survival rates across the country.

The Minister commended the Pediatric Association of Sierra Leone for its continued dedication to advancing child healthcare through professional capacity building, advocacy, community outreach, research and public awareness initiatives. She acknowledged the vital role healthcare professionals play in providing quality care to newborns from birth through early childhood.

She further praised PASL’s efforts in supporting national health priorities and strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers to respond effectively to the needs of children and families.

Reaffirming the Government’s commitment to the Presidential 300 Days of Activism on Maternal and Child Health, the Minister underscored the national objective of achieving zero preventable maternal and child deaths.

She called for enhanced collaboration among healthcare workers, development partners, Civil Society Organizations, communities and families to improve newborn survival rates and ensure better health outcomes for children across Sierra Leone.

The Minister concluded by emphasizing that every child deserves a healthy start in life, urging all stakeholders to work together to create an environment where newborns can survive, thrive and contribute to the nation’s future development.

The conference brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers, development partners and child health advocates to discuss strategies for strengthening newborn care services and improving maternal and child health outcomes nationwide. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/at-pasl-conference-gender-minister-calls-for-urgent-action-to-reduce-newborn-deaths/