2000 women die annually
With funds from Airtel, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO, the Campaign for the Reduction of Maternal Mortality (CARMM) Sierra Leone has celebrated its 5th anniversary in a grand occasion at the Makeni Government Hospital on Tuesday 15th September this year. CARMM is in the office of the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Her Excellency, Sia Nyama Koroma (in photo).
While gracing the occasion, UNFPA Country Representative, Bannet Ndyanabangi, said the United Nations team is putting all effort together in ensuring that no woman or her baby dies during birth nor develop Fistula. He noted that to prevent such, there is the highest need for Family Planning, Skilled Birth Attendants and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics Care. He continued that research has shown that over 2,000 women die yearly, 200 monthly and 7 women daily due to maternal problems.
He stated that Family Planning ensures that women and girls don’t bear babies too early, frequently or too late, noting that teenage pregnancy and early marriage contribute forty (40) percent of all maternal deaths.
Skilled birth attendants, he said, are very important to avoid death and injury of women during delivery hence it is advisable for women to deliver in a facility of skilled birth attendants.
Bannet Ndyanabangi stressed that Obstetric care is also needed for women to be able to undergo operation in the event of any complication during delivery which he said requires enough surgeons and anesthetists.
Deputy Minister Social Welfare Gender and Children Affairs, Mustapha Bai Attila, expressed the wish of his ministry to be seeing Sierra Leonean girls carrying books, not babies, noting that the more educated girls the more potential for a better country.
Bai Attila pin pointed that he will not reason with any parent that gives her daughter’s hand in untimely marriage as a result of poverty.
Resident Minister North, Alie D.Kamara, pledged his unconditional support to the campaign for the Reduction of Maternal Mortality program, pointing out that Town Chiefs have a pivotal role in ensuring that under age marriage is discouraged in their respective townships.
Airtel Mobil Company said they are a corporate body with corporate social responsibility which they have been effectively executing over the years. Airtel also called on women and girls to work harder as they are living in a male dominated world.
The event was climaxed by the distribution of 300 baby packs by her Excellency Sia Koroma.
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