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Young children, their mothers, and pregnant women across Sierra Leone are now entitled to free healthcare – a major leap forward for a country with some of the worst child and maternal mortality rates in the world.

Plan has been advocating for free, quality healthcare in Sierra Leone for many years. Several years ago, Plan joined other non-government organisations to lobby the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for a better healthcare package.

In April the Sierra Leonean Government announced its free healthcare policy, which covers more than 1.5 million women and children.

Saving lives

Before the change, women in Sierra Leone had to pay unaffordable fees to give birth in a hospital, or to see a doctor or nurse. Currently, one in five children die before their fifth birthday, and one in seven women in Sierra Leone die during pregnancy or childbirth.

Now all healthcare, including medicines, will be available free at every government hospital and clinic for all pregnant women, children aged under five, and lactating mothers.

Plan support

The extent of the new initiative means that the Ministry of Health and Sanitation will need support from all government partners in the health sector, including Plan.

Plan will continue to support communities where we have long-standing relationships, such as the district of Moyamba, where Plan will help the district health management team with the full implementation of the free healthcare program. Plan’s knowledge of implementing social programs at a local level will be essential.

Welcome news

Plan Sierra Leone Country Director Fadimata Alainchar said: 'We welcome this good news. And we hope that with our support the Government’s free healthcare program will be a long-lasting reality for the women and children of Sierra Leone.'

Find out more about Plan’s work in Sierra Leone.

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