By Ibrahim S. Bangura
On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, the Ministry of Health hosted an end-of-year media engagement at the Family Kingdom in Freetown to reflect on its achievements, address challenges, and outline its plans while fostering collaboration with the media on the crucial issue of health accountability.
The event was attended by Dr. Austin Demby, the Minister of Health; Hon. Chernor Bah, the Minister of Information and Civic Education; Ahmed Sahid Nasrella, the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ); and other dignitaries, health institutions, and partners who actively contributed to the discussions.
In his keynote address, Dr. Demby provided a comprehensive overview of the key developments in the health sector over the past year. He highlighted the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to improve health service delivery, reduce maternal and child mortality rates, and strengthen healthcare infrastructure across Sierra Leone. A major theme in Dr. Demby’s address was the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability within the health sector. He reassured the public that the Ministry is collaborating with local and international partners to improve healthcare quality and address disparities in access. “A transparent and accountable healthcare system is essential to building public trust and ensuring that the health needs of all Sierra Leoneans are met,” he emphasized.
Dr. Demby added, “We are recruiting, training, supporting, and preparing individuals in the system to help improve health facilities across Sierra Leone. We will never stop until we provide the highest quality of healthcare service for every Sierra Leonean. We exist to serve the people of this country.”
He further emphasized the significance of the media in promoting accountability. “Under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the media plays a key role in driving accountability and civic participation. Without the media, public participation would be constrained, and citizens’ rights to governance would be severely challenged,” said Dr. Demby. He also highlighted the Ministry’s model of providing healthcare services using a life stages approach that prioritizes health service delivery from pregnancy to newborns, adolescents, adults, and senior citizens.
Dr. Demby also outlined the government’s significant investments in health infrastructure. “The president has commissioned the Julius Maada Bio Pediatric Excellence Center at Lumley, which is now fully operational, along with other health facilities both in and outside Freetown,” he said. “With the support of our partners, we have completed the solarization of six government hospitals, including PCMH, Ola During, Kabala, Kambia, Masanga, and Bonthe, providing them with 24-hour solar energy. Additionally, 25 community health centers have been electrified with renewable solar power.”
The event also featured remarks from Hon. Chernor Bah, Minister of Information and Civic Education, who emphasized the media’s crucial role in promoting health literacy and advocating health reforms. He stressed the importance of accurate information dissemination and the media’s responsibility in holding public institutions accountable. “This week highlights the strides made in recognizing the media as the fourth estate of democracy,” he said.
Ahmed Sahid Nasrella, President of SLAJ, also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the media. He encouraged journalists to remain vigilant in covering health issues and ensuring accountability in government and healthcare institutions. “There is a need for media literacy for staff and fair treatment for journalists and bloggers,” Nasrella stated. He also called on the Ministry to ensure that journalists have timely access to information and that requests for clarification are addressed promptly.
The engagement provided an opportunity for media representatives to ask questions and discuss key topics such as healthcare accessibility, malaria prevention, and healthcare services in rural areas. Dr. Demby reaffirmed that addressing these concerns remains a top priority for the government.
Looking forward, the health ministry expressed optimism about the future of Sierra Leone’s healthcare system, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to building a resilient healthcare infrastructure that can meet the country’s growing needs. The Minister of Health also emphasized the government’s focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to health, ensuring equitable healthcare access for all Sierra Leoneans.