Ending Maternal Mortality in Sierra Leone

Of 14 countries 13 of which is sub-Saharan Africa, Sierra Leone is rated as one of the countries with the highest rates of maternal mortality.  In such a small country that hosts a population of about just 6 million people, this does not bode well for its reputation in development terms as well as for the welfare of its most vulnerable sect-women and children. It’s so sad to actually face the fact that most of the people who actually make up the population die in the process of giving new life, the bringing of hope and a preservation of the nation’s future. Women who are the nurturers of a nation die everyday as a result of the high prevalence of maternal mortality.

Big thanks go to donor agencies, civil societies and the government in their effort to help stop this loss but honestly, there is still a lot more to be done if this phenomenal menace should be cleared away from our mothers and unborn children. It’s not all right to understand that about one in every 8 women who go through childbirth has chance of surviving. That is a staggering statistic that if put in perspective would leave one gasping for air with the reality choked into your head. There needs for more concerted effort between government, medical personnel, donor agencies, civil societies and any other related bodies interested in preserving and securing the lives of the many people we loss to maternal mortality. The government must put more effort creating the enabling environment in terms of logistics, medical supply and providing an environment where working conditions are satisfactory to avoid brain drain of our medical personnel we have been loosing to other countries, even nearby one of Guinea and Liberia in search of greener pastures.

There must also be improved access to health care service centers. Most women die or give birth whilst en-route to a health care service centre. This a sickening reality which if not tackled would render the combating of maternal a fruitless endeavour. 

In all these, medical personnel must also show love for their profession. Tedious it is but very rewarding in the satisfaction gotten from saving a life for that what medical science is all about-saving life. They must be willing to serve the people and live by their oaths-the one of saving lives. It appears that money has become a very big factor in the providing of health care services but we shouldn’t allow it to come into play where lives are concerned; especially when it concerns those that so vulnerable and fragile.

Donor agencies must be able to provide technical support and help with funding to encourage and strengthen healthcare service delivery in the country. They must also strengthen or form links with other medical personnel in other countries to share ideas and studies as has been done in the recently introduced telemedicine. They must be able to live up to their words and try to circulate funding fairly and accurately to limit corruption and greed that is fast gripping the health care service sector of the country.

Civil societies too has a role to play in sensitizing the public on have awareness on maternal mortality, the dangers and overall effects, what must be done to reduce maternal mortality. If more of sensitization is done and awareness is wide, then surely there would be a lower rate of maternal mortality as people would be conscious and do all they can to in their own way alleviate this problem. Civil societies bodies like the media and other welfare organizations must encourage and put pressure on the government and related bodies to live up to their commitments.

It is clear that avid collaboration among all these sectors could help bring a change in lowering the rate of maternal mortality by working together for the common good of all. So many women are going through childbirth are scared of losing their lives. The process of childbirth should be a blessing, the process of giving life not death. If only more effort could be put bed free of the sad news of death, then development in the health care sector of the country could boast of some progress.

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