By Unisa Dizo-Conteh, London.
The Coordinator of Welbodi Partnership, Ryann Manning, said at a gathering in London recently that they are working with local and international partners to provide a “package of free healthcare for children” in Sierra Leone.
Ryann(pictured) acknowledged the “immense” challenges in achieving this goal, but she said they would use any support necessary to help improve child mortality and morbidity in the country.
Recent statistics on Sierra Leone suggest that one in four children dies before the age of 5, mainly as a result of illnesses such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria - illnesses which are preventable and treatable,
Ryann, who moved to Sierra Leone three years ago to manage the World Bank’s Justice for the Poor program, said a “consistent level of care for children” needs to be provided in Sierra Leone if this striking statistics is to be transformed.
She said that a better team of medical and nonmedical staff would give these children a “better chance” in life.
At an event to increase awareness of what the Welbodi Partnership does, Mr Ade Daramy, leader of the Sierra Leone diaspora Network (SLDN) urged Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora to play a major part in contributing positively to the country’s development.
He added that “we owe Sierra Leone something, and Sierra Leone needs us more” than anywhere else.
The Welbodi Partnership works in partnership with the Ministry of Health, as well as a group of local medical practitioners and prominent international organisations.
To find out more about the Welbodi Partnership visit: www.welbodipartnership.org
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