Sierra Leone: Government launches free maternal healthcare

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC STATEMENT Date: April 27 2010 AI Index: AFR 51/003/2010 Sierra Leone: Government launches free maternal healthcare Today, international non-governmental organisations welcomed the official launch of Sierra Leone’s free care policy for pregnant and lactating women, and for children under the age of 5. The government of Sierra Leone, with the support of the international [...] The government’s historic decision on the country’s 49th independence anniversary is an important step in removing one of the main barriers women and children face in accessing quality health care. [...] Insufficient funds, inadequate anti-corruption measures, acute staff shortages, and other failures will, if not addressed, prevent the progressive and full realisation of the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which is conducive to living a life in dignity. [...] To ensure this historic announcement really benefits the women and children of Sierra Leone, the government should also invest in more and better-paid health workers, desperately needed medicines and rigorous accountability to ensure people can not only access healthcare, but receive the good quality healthcare they need and deserve. [...] The measure announced by the government of Sierra Leone is a crucial step in the progressive realisation of its people’s right to health as enshrined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.