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Sierra Leone

Articles by Sierra Leone

Planned-Parenthood-Association-of-Sierra-Leone
15 October 2020

Serving you Where you Are: Community Health Outreaches in Sierra Leone

By Maryanne W. Waweru Freetown, Sierra Leone – Early one morning as 31-year-old Fatama Kamara performed her regular chores in the house, she momentarily stopped to listen to an announcement blazing though a loudspeaker in her neighborhood. It was an announcement about a community health outreach event that would be happening that day at the Dwarzack Community Hall. After listening to the public announcement, Fatama, a mother of three and businesswoman who sells cakes, biscuits and sweets in Dwarzack, a low-income neighborhood in Freetown, had made the decision to attend the outreach. Besides, her visit to a health care provider had been long overdue. Post-Partum Complications See, Fatama’s last born son is only five-weeks old. Two weeks after his delivery, she had returned to hospital for the recommended check-up where she had been told that her blood pressure was low. After being given medication, the doctor had instructed her to return after seven days. Unfortunately, Fatama just hadn’t found time to go back to the hospital. “Between caring for my 8-year-old, 6-year-old, my newborn and running my business to ensure I provide for my children, I haven’t found any time to squeeze a visit back to the hospital. Besides, going to the hospital will cost me money in terms of transport, consultation fee, possible lab tests and medication which I don’t have right now,” she told us. Fatama was therefore relieved when she heard the announcement about a community health outreach event in her neighborhood. It was even more exciting because she heard that the services would be provided by the Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL) -an organization whose services she was familiar with. Just two years ago, Fatama had received family planning services from the PPASL clinic in Freetown. “I was pleased with the services I received that day, and I particularly remember how the nurse treated me. She was kind, and the contraceptive she gave me worked well until I was ready to have another child. That’s why when this morning I heard that PPASL would be offering services at the Dwazark community hall, I quickly readjusted my schedule so that I could talk to them about my low blood pressure issue.” Conversations with Daughters about their Sexual Health As she waited for her turn to be seen by the health care provider, Fatama listened to the information being shared by one of the community health workers. “Many girls in Dwarzack get pregnant while still in school. Because of this, we were told that as parents, we must talk to our daughters from an early age, telling them to focus on their education and stay in school. We were told to talk to them about abstinence and the need to protect themselves if they are sexually active. I will ensure that I talk to my daughter about her body as she grows,” revealed Fatama. When Fatama’s turn to be seen by the clinician arrived, she informed him about her low blood pressure issue. She also accessed laboratory and pharmacy services during the outreach.   “I am happy because being here today has saved me a lot of time and money. I know my health will be well because it is service providers from PPASL who have attended to me. I have great confidence in them. I have not paid a single Leone for all the services I have received today. Upon my return home, I’ll encourage my friends to also come here before the day ends!” an excited Fatama told us. Thaim Kargbo, the Programme Director at PPASL says that community outreach health events are one of the effective strategies that the organization uses to reach communities with information and reproductive health services. “At this outreach today, we served 198 women with a wide range of services including HIV testing, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, birth control, counseling on STI prevention, treatment and management, condom distribution and pregnancy testing. Community health outreaches help to eliminate some of the barriers that people face in accessing health services, such as time constraints and costs related to going to hospital for services.” For enhanced success, PPASL partners with different organizations, including the Ministry of Health, community health volunteers, local leaders and the local administration. Maryanne W. Waweru is the Communications Officer, IPPF Africa Regional Office For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. 

IPPF Africa Region Director Mr. Lucien Kouakou
16 December 2015

Parliamentarians are Key to Realizing Demographic Dividend in Africa

African parliamentarians must seek ways of mobilizing resources to fund the demographic dividend agenda in their countries. This is according to the IPPF Africa Region Director Mr. Lucien Kouakou, who made these remarks during the closing ceremony of a two-day capacity building workshop for African Parliamentarians held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 14 – 15 December 2015. The meeting, attended by 13 legislators drawn from the Africa Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (FPA), was aimed at enhancing the legislators' understanding of the concept of the ‘Demographic Dividend’, and their role in moving forward related agenda. The demographic dividend refers to the accelerated economic growth initiated by a rapid decline in fertility and mortality, and which results in a change of the age structure in the population –from one dominated by child dependents to one driven by an economically productive adult workforce. “Harnessing the demographic dividend is fundamental to Africa’s development. A demographic shift in any population is important because of it's direct bearing to among others: economic growth, education levels, poverty levels and the health and well-being of a nation. The current demographic transition in Africa is one that has the ability to steer the next surge of economic growth - with a population characterized by healthier and more educated youth, and who will have greater access to the labour force and economic markets. African leaders therefore need to put in place measures that will ensure that the continent harnesses the dividend from Africa’s youthful population,” he said. A new report from the World Bank reveals that government policies and other related actions undertaken today will increase the likelihood of harnessing various economic and social benefits of demographic change. “Parliamentarians are instrumental in this process, as they are the ones involved in the formulation of policies and legislations. When a country has the right set of policies in place, it is better placed to reap the benefits of a demographic change, hence the need to involve Members of Parliament in all conversations around the demographic dividend. There is no doubt that the demographic dividend can be achieved in Africa, if the right policies are instituted,” said Mr. Kouakou. The capacity building initiative for the African legislators, organized by IPPF and UNFPA and themed: "Moving the Demographic Dividend Agenda: from Ideas to Actions", established a harmonized understanding of the demographic dividend among the MPs, and helped define their level of engagement in advancing this agenda in their countries. A clear roadmap for moving forward the demographic dividend agenda at both regional and national levels was developed during the forum. Members of parliament who attended the forum included: Hon. Chris Baryomunsi (Uganda), Hon. Marie-Rose Nguini Effa (Cameroon), Hon. Jose Manuel Tavares Sanches (Cape Verde), Hon. Mbaidessemel Dionadiji (Chad), Hon. Zalikatou Diallo (Guinea Conakry), Hon. Larry Younquoi (Liberia), Hon. Illa Ousmane (Niger), Hon. Helen Kuyembeh (Sierra Leone), Hon. Dlamini Princess Phumelele (Swaziland), Hon. Highvie Hamdudu (Zambia), Hon. Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman (Nigeria), Hon. Ahmed Babou Babah (Mauritania) and Hon. Sado Nazaire (Benin). In his speech, Mr. Kouakou called on the MPs to take a lead role in mobilizing resources that will ensure that the demographic dividend will be realized in their countries. “Parliamentarians can influence their colleagues and garner their support for the formulation of policies and legislations, specifically those related to population and development. They can call for more budgetary allocation to respective institutions, such as the Ministries of Planning and Development, The Ministries of Health and Education, as well as institutions that focus on the youth. They can also take the lead in seeking innovative ways of mobilizing resources at the local level that would champion population and related issues. Members of Parliament have an unmatched role in steering development in their countries,” he said. Mr. Kouakou further urged the legislators to take advantage of the resource that is partners who have a presence in the region, such as IPPF and UNFPA – entities that are committed to Africa’s growth. Development partners, if convinced that the demographic dividend is key to the growth of the region, will definitely assist in different ways, including offering technical assistance, capacity building and mobilization of resources, he said. “IPPF and UNFPA are committed to this agenda, and are working in collaboration with the Africa Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (FPA) to implement a programme that will ensure that all African countries are on track to realizing the demographic dividend. The project is initially slated for implementation in the six countries of Mauritania, Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad, with more countries being incorporated in the coming years. We are keen on ensuring that no country is left behind,” he said. The Africa Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (FPA), which was established in 2012, seeks to exchange and coordinate action in support of the ICPD Beyond 2014. FPA also seeks to ensure that parliamentarians assist in the implementation of the ICPD Beyond 2014 Agenda by adopting initiatives in population policies, as well as harmonisation of African legislation on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). At the Abidjan General Assembly meeting in 2014, FPA reaffirmed its purpose as a regional body established to drive the agenda on population and development at both the national and regional levels.

Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone

The Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL), established in 1959, works on a range of serious sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues to improve people's health and quality of life. A key focus is to improve access to maternal health care, to reduce the risk of maternal and infant death.

PPASL accesses the community through 5 service points, 12 workplace outreach projects, and 3 youth centres, via a 40-strong permanent staff team, backed by nearly 300 volunteers, 9 community-based distributors (CBDs) and a Youth Action Movement membership of 150.

There is a 90% prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the country, and finding ways to handle the attendant psychological and physical trauma is one of the organization’s major challenges.

Much of PPASL’s work is directed towards behaviour change communication (BCC) among community leaders, police and army personnel and Muslim and Christian groups. Safe motherhood, family planning, and the sensitisation of young people to SRH concerns are also central to the direct services which PPASL provides.   

The Member Association works in partnership with government health and development ministries and the Sierra Leone Armed Forces Hospitals. Non-governmental organization (NGO) partners include the Reproductive Health Service, CHASL, MSSL, National AIDS Secretariat/SHARP and the Marie Stopes Society.

PPASL receives financial support from UNFPA, UNICEF, UNAIDS, the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Plan International, MOHS & RH UNIT, Marie Stopes Society, SL Red Cross Society and Action Aid. 

Contacts

Website: www.ppasl.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/454639337890032/

Planned-Parenthood-Association-of-Sierra-Leone
15 October 2020

Serving you Where you Are: Community Health Outreaches in Sierra Leone

By Maryanne W. Waweru Freetown, Sierra Leone – Early one morning as 31-year-old Fatama Kamara performed her regular chores in the house, she momentarily stopped to listen to an announcement blazing though a loudspeaker in her neighborhood. It was an announcement about a community health outreach event that would be happening that day at the Dwarzack Community Hall. After listening to the public announcement, Fatama, a mother of three and businesswoman who sells cakes, biscuits and sweets in Dwarzack, a low-income neighborhood in Freetown, had made the decision to attend the outreach. Besides, her visit to a health care provider had been long overdue. Post-Partum Complications See, Fatama’s last born son is only five-weeks old. Two weeks after his delivery, she had returned to hospital for the recommended check-up where she had been told that her blood pressure was low. After being given medication, the doctor had instructed her to return after seven days. Unfortunately, Fatama just hadn’t found time to go back to the hospital. “Between caring for my 8-year-old, 6-year-old, my newborn and running my business to ensure I provide for my children, I haven’t found any time to squeeze a visit back to the hospital. Besides, going to the hospital will cost me money in terms of transport, consultation fee, possible lab tests and medication which I don’t have right now,” she told us. Fatama was therefore relieved when she heard the announcement about a community health outreach event in her neighborhood. It was even more exciting because she heard that the services would be provided by the Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL) -an organization whose services she was familiar with. Just two years ago, Fatama had received family planning services from the PPASL clinic in Freetown. “I was pleased with the services I received that day, and I particularly remember how the nurse treated me. She was kind, and the contraceptive she gave me worked well until I was ready to have another child. That’s why when this morning I heard that PPASL would be offering services at the Dwazark community hall, I quickly readjusted my schedule so that I could talk to them about my low blood pressure issue.” Conversations with Daughters about their Sexual Health As she waited for her turn to be seen by the health care provider, Fatama listened to the information being shared by one of the community health workers. “Many girls in Dwarzack get pregnant while still in school. Because of this, we were told that as parents, we must talk to our daughters from an early age, telling them to focus on their education and stay in school. We were told to talk to them about abstinence and the need to protect themselves if they are sexually active. I will ensure that I talk to my daughter about her body as she grows,” revealed Fatama. When Fatama’s turn to be seen by the clinician arrived, she informed him about her low blood pressure issue. She also accessed laboratory and pharmacy services during the outreach.   “I am happy because being here today has saved me a lot of time and money. I know my health will be well because it is service providers from PPASL who have attended to me. I have great confidence in them. I have not paid a single Leone for all the services I have received today. Upon my return home, I’ll encourage my friends to also come here before the day ends!” an excited Fatama told us. Thaim Kargbo, the Programme Director at PPASL says that community outreach health events are one of the effective strategies that the organization uses to reach communities with information and reproductive health services. “At this outreach today, we served 198 women with a wide range of services including HIV testing, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, birth control, counseling on STI prevention, treatment and management, condom distribution and pregnancy testing. Community health outreaches help to eliminate some of the barriers that people face in accessing health services, such as time constraints and costs related to going to hospital for services.” For enhanced success, PPASL partners with different organizations, including the Ministry of Health, community health volunteers, local leaders and the local administration. Maryanne W. Waweru is the Communications Officer, IPPF Africa Regional Office For more information about the work of IPPF Africa Region, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. 

IPPF Africa Region Director Mr. Lucien Kouakou
16 December 2015

Parliamentarians are Key to Realizing Demographic Dividend in Africa

African parliamentarians must seek ways of mobilizing resources to fund the demographic dividend agenda in their countries. This is according to the IPPF Africa Region Director Mr. Lucien Kouakou, who made these remarks during the closing ceremony of a two-day capacity building workshop for African Parliamentarians held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 14 – 15 December 2015. The meeting, attended by 13 legislators drawn from the Africa Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (FPA), was aimed at enhancing the legislators' understanding of the concept of the ‘Demographic Dividend’, and their role in moving forward related agenda. The demographic dividend refers to the accelerated economic growth initiated by a rapid decline in fertility and mortality, and which results in a change of the age structure in the population –from one dominated by child dependents to one driven by an economically productive adult workforce. “Harnessing the demographic dividend is fundamental to Africa’s development. A demographic shift in any population is important because of it's direct bearing to among others: economic growth, education levels, poverty levels and the health and well-being of a nation. The current demographic transition in Africa is one that has the ability to steer the next surge of economic growth - with a population characterized by healthier and more educated youth, and who will have greater access to the labour force and economic markets. African leaders therefore need to put in place measures that will ensure that the continent harnesses the dividend from Africa’s youthful population,” he said. A new report from the World Bank reveals that government policies and other related actions undertaken today will increase the likelihood of harnessing various economic and social benefits of demographic change. “Parliamentarians are instrumental in this process, as they are the ones involved in the formulation of policies and legislations. When a country has the right set of policies in place, it is better placed to reap the benefits of a demographic change, hence the need to involve Members of Parliament in all conversations around the demographic dividend. There is no doubt that the demographic dividend can be achieved in Africa, if the right policies are instituted,” said Mr. Kouakou. The capacity building initiative for the African legislators, organized by IPPF and UNFPA and themed: "Moving the Demographic Dividend Agenda: from Ideas to Actions", established a harmonized understanding of the demographic dividend among the MPs, and helped define their level of engagement in advancing this agenda in their countries. A clear roadmap for moving forward the demographic dividend agenda at both regional and national levels was developed during the forum. Members of parliament who attended the forum included: Hon. Chris Baryomunsi (Uganda), Hon. Marie-Rose Nguini Effa (Cameroon), Hon. Jose Manuel Tavares Sanches (Cape Verde), Hon. Mbaidessemel Dionadiji (Chad), Hon. Zalikatou Diallo (Guinea Conakry), Hon. Larry Younquoi (Liberia), Hon. Illa Ousmane (Niger), Hon. Helen Kuyembeh (Sierra Leone), Hon. Dlamini Princess Phumelele (Swaziland), Hon. Highvie Hamdudu (Zambia), Hon. Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman (Nigeria), Hon. Ahmed Babou Babah (Mauritania) and Hon. Sado Nazaire (Benin). In his speech, Mr. Kouakou called on the MPs to take a lead role in mobilizing resources that will ensure that the demographic dividend will be realized in their countries. “Parliamentarians can influence their colleagues and garner their support for the formulation of policies and legislations, specifically those related to population and development. They can call for more budgetary allocation to respective institutions, such as the Ministries of Planning and Development, The Ministries of Health and Education, as well as institutions that focus on the youth. They can also take the lead in seeking innovative ways of mobilizing resources at the local level that would champion population and related issues. Members of Parliament have an unmatched role in steering development in their countries,” he said. Mr. Kouakou further urged the legislators to take advantage of the resource that is partners who have a presence in the region, such as IPPF and UNFPA – entities that are committed to Africa’s growth. Development partners, if convinced that the demographic dividend is key to the growth of the region, will definitely assist in different ways, including offering technical assistance, capacity building and mobilization of resources, he said. “IPPF and UNFPA are committed to this agenda, and are working in collaboration with the Africa Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (FPA) to implement a programme that will ensure that all African countries are on track to realizing the demographic dividend. The project is initially slated for implementation in the six countries of Mauritania, Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad, with more countries being incorporated in the coming years. We are keen on ensuring that no country is left behind,” he said. The Africa Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (FPA), which was established in 2012, seeks to exchange and coordinate action in support of the ICPD Beyond 2014. FPA also seeks to ensure that parliamentarians assist in the implementation of the ICPD Beyond 2014 Agenda by adopting initiatives in population policies, as well as harmonisation of African legislation on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). At the Abidjan General Assembly meeting in 2014, FPA reaffirmed its purpose as a regional body established to drive the agenda on population and development at both the national and regional levels.

Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone

The Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL), established in 1959, works on a range of serious sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues to improve people's health and quality of life. A key focus is to improve access to maternal health care, to reduce the risk of maternal and infant death.

PPASL accesses the community through 5 service points, 12 workplace outreach projects, and 3 youth centres, via a 40-strong permanent staff team, backed by nearly 300 volunteers, 9 community-based distributors (CBDs) and a Youth Action Movement membership of 150.

There is a 90% prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the country, and finding ways to handle the attendant psychological and physical trauma is one of the organization’s major challenges.

Much of PPASL’s work is directed towards behaviour change communication (BCC) among community leaders, police and army personnel and Muslim and Christian groups. Safe motherhood, family planning, and the sensitisation of young people to SRH concerns are also central to the direct services which PPASL provides.   

The Member Association works in partnership with government health and development ministries and the Sierra Leone Armed Forces Hospitals. Non-governmental organization (NGO) partners include the Reproductive Health Service, CHASL, MSSL, National AIDS Secretariat/SHARP and the Marie Stopes Society.

PPASL receives financial support from UNFPA, UNICEF, UNAIDS, the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Plan International, MOHS & RH UNIT, Marie Stopes Society, SL Red Cross Society and Action Aid. 

Contacts

Website: www.ppasl.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/454639337890032/