Sierra Leone is the most unequal country in the world when you compare the income share of the richest 20% to that of the poorest 20%. It currently ranks 180 out of 182 countries in the UN Human Development Index.
Between 1990 and 2002, military takeovers and civil war led to the displacement of over half of the population and the deaths of tens of thousands of people. Many hospitals and health centres were looted.
The country’s health system is still recovering, and in the short term Sierra Leone is dependent on international organisations to help deliver healthcare.
- It has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the world, at 1900 per 100,000 live births in the area where we work
- It also has the highest rate of infant mortality, at 165 per 1,000 live births
Health Poverty Action is saving lives in remote Sierra Leone by improving maternal and child health services and providing outreach health education in the remote district of Northern Bombali. We are increasing awareness of preventable diseases which kill young children, such as malaria and diarrhoea, and improving emergency obstetric services. We are also encouraging women to access prenatal and postnatal care.
Abolition of user fees
On 27 April 2010, Sierra Leone’s Independence Day, health user fees were abolished for pregnant women, new mothers and children under 5 years old throughout the country.
Check out our reaction to this news and how effective this decision has proved to be so far.
