Health Network engages the media

Health Network, a civil society organization dealing with health issues, human rights and justice has engaged the press to update them on their activities.

Speaking to the media Monday 9^th June 2014 at Youth Centre, Garrison Street, Freetown, the Executive Director, Health Network Sierra Leone, Mr. Robert Kondema Kargbo said his organization has been working in many thematic areas. He noted that they had embarked on advocacy to reduce the percentage of alcoholic content in various alcoholic drinks sold in the country.

He highlighted some of the thematic areas which include the promotion of the rights and interests of disadvantage groups especially women, children, pregnant and lactating mothers living with disabilities in various communities, monitoring of health facilities in the Western area and rural within the framework of the Free Health Care and some projects in the agricultural sector.

He maintained that they have included corporate governance as a thematic area to support the performance contract system innovated by President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma. He disclosed that Health Network SL and the health community in Sierra Leone have been undertaking emergencies of the deadly Ebola virus, adding that the Ministry of Health and Sanitation has been proactive by partnering with organizations to increase the level of awareness on the deadly Ebola virus since its outbreak in the Republic of Guinea and Liberia along the border areas of Sierra Leone.

He reiterated that his organization is looking forward to working with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS) in the area of increasing awareness among the public to eliminate the Ebola virus from Sierra Leone.

Mr. Kargbo also told the press that his organization is working in partnership with the Standard Bureau and manufacturers of alcoholic drinks in Sierra Leone to agree on a reasonable percentage of alcohol for public consumption especially the domestic market, noting that government must put policies to reduce the percentage of alcohol and use taxes to reduce accessibility.

Mr. Robert Kargbo on behalf of his organization commended His Excellency the President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma for taking the bold step to change the leadership of NASSIT, as his organization is focusing on the activities of NASSIT and the Ministry of Water Resources.

Health Network Sierra Leone also commended the performance of the Audit Service Commission, Ministry of Water Resources with SALWACO taking the lead. In his conclusion, he call on His Excellency the president Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma on behalf of his organization to focus on the monitoring of Guma Valley Water Company as water is life and cannot be under estimated in improving health services.

By Mohamed Bangura

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