By Mamajah Jalloh
Kenema, Sierra Leone — On Friday, August 9, 2042, the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, announced a significant improvement in the survival rates of premature babies in the country. The survival rate has increased to 80%, a remarkable improvement from the 20% rate recorded before 2018.
This announcement was made during the Interagency Forum meeting at the Kenema District Council in Kenema City. Dr. Jalloh emphasized that the forum served as a stock-taking exercise, allowing key social protection leaders and partners to assess progress and share insights.
“The World Bank has increased the social safety net to around $42 million,” Dr. Jalloh stated, noting that this initiative stemmed from previous Interagency Forum meetings held in Makeni and other local councils. The increase aims to integrate social safety measures into national policy and actions, providing an opportunity to review and enhance current initiatives.
Dr. Jalloh highlighted the need to expand the school feeding program, underscoring its importance for the country’s development. He also mentioned that, as a result of discussions at the Interagency Forum, provisional headquarters have been established in almost every district, except for Kabala and Karene. These headquarters are expected to strengthen the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA).
The Vice President emphasized that transitioning out of vulnerability requires more than just social protection measures. “We cannot transition people out of vulnerability by just providing cash transfers. Our efforts must align with the government’s broader development agenda,” he said.
He further noted that the path to progress lies in human development as a means to transform the lives of Sierra Leoneans. “Between 2016 and 2018 alone, we lost 1,017,000 women during childbirth. Addressing such issues is crucial,” Dr. Jalloh stated.
The focus has been on reducing poverty and addressing vulnerability through pro-poor policies, aiming to elevate Sierra Leone to a more favorable development position. The Interagency Forum for Social Protection is recognized for its potential to organize efforts and address extreme vulnerability in the country.
Dr. Jalloh appealed to international partners to collaborate and share strategies to support and transition vulnerable populations out of poverty.
The Vice President’s remarks highlight the government’s commitment to improving health outcomes and fostering development through comprehensive social protection strategies.
