Monrovia—A delegation from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Liberia departed for Sierra Leone on Wednesday for a three-day knowledge-sharing mission aimed at reducing maternal mortality rates.
The visit is led by Dr. Louis Mapleh Kpoto, Liberia’s Minister of Health.
The primary goal of the trip is to understand the successful strategies implemented by Sierra Leonean health authorities, which have significantly decreased maternal deaths in their country through various health initiatives, including a comprehensive solar energy project.
This project aims to equip health facilities across Sierra Leone with solar power, making it a crucial factor in improving maternal health outcomes.
Dr. Austin H. Demby, the Sierra Leonean Minister of Health and Sanitation, emphasized the importance of energy access in combating maternal mortality.
He highlighted the delays experienced when healthcare workers rely on generators, which can take between five to fifteen minutes to start, putting the lives of mothers and their babies at risk during critical moments.
In addition to improving energy access, Dr. Demby discussed the importance of engaging with district-level officials to address reports of high maternal deaths directly.
He expressed a need to move beyond traditional workshops and focus on actionable solutions.
Minister Kpoto expressed gratitude for the hospitality shown by their Sierra Leonean counterparts. As an obstetrician-gynecologist, she shared her concern over the tragic loss of mothers and children that could be prevented.
She reiterated that the Liberian President is committed to enhancing the healthcare system to better serve all citizens.
The visit is seen as an opportunity for the Liberian delegation to critically analyze the strategies employed by Sierra Leone to effectively reduce maternal mortality rates and implement similar measures back home.
During their trip, Minister Kpoto also held discussions with Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohammed Juldeh Jalloh, and engaged with the entire Sierra Leonean Ministry of Health and Sanitation to foster ongoing collaboration and strengthen relations between the two nations’ health ministries.
