By Foday Moriba Conteh
Dr. Francis Smart, the Director of Policy and Planning Implementation at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, during an engagement with the Advocates for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) on the 10th March 2022 at the New Brookfield’s Hotel on Jomo Kenyatta Road in Freetown, stated that Sierra Leone has one of the highest reported maternal mortality ratios in the world.
The Non-Governmental Organization was engaging Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Members of Parliament on the status of sexual reproductive health issues in the country.
Dr. Francis Smart disclosed that it is important to get the right facts in order to propose a Bill for Safe Motherhood and Sexual Reproductive Health that will culminate in a Cabinet Paper awaiting approval.
He stated that in 2015 an Abortion Bill was rejected by the Inter-Religious Councils after being approved by Parliament.
According to Dr. Smart, the progress of the bill gained momentum when the Ministry Health got involved in addressing several issues, adding that in 2018 they came to the conclusion of reviewing issues based on what they learned.
“This time we will partner with the Inter-Religious Council to reduce maternal maternity that will bring development in the country,” he expressed hope.
Dr. Smart said maternal deaths account 23% of all deaths among woman aged 15- 49 years, adding that the maternal mortality ratio is estimated at 717per 100, 00 live births (DHS 2019).
“According to the Sierra Leone demographic and health survey in 2019 the birth rate by females within the age bracket of 15-19 is 102 per1, 000, adding that teenage pregnancy is one of the key drivers of maternal mortality in the country,” he revealed.
He underscored that there is a high rate of teenage pregnancy, girls are not physically mature to give birth and such puts both mothers and their babies at high risk.
Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation Philip Kargbo said they will use all the possible and right channels to ensure the process of enacting the bill is pursued.
He disclosed that the Ministry of Health and Sanitation will request the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to prepare the relevant legislative instruments that can address reproductive health issues.
Members of Parliament and representatives of MDAs present stated that they will support the enactment of the bill in Parliament.
