Sierra Leone Marks Independence Day With Free Health Care for Mothers and Children

(HN, April 27, 2010) On the 49th anniversary of its independence today, Sierra Leone - the West African country with the worst child and maternal health indicies - announced free health care to mothers and children.

UNICEF ranks Sierra Leone as the country with the highest rates of maternal and child mortality, and President Ernest Bai Koroma marked the day with the stunning announcement of free medical treatment for pregnant and breast-feeding women and children under five.

He says the government will distribute $10 million in medicines, and UNICEF says it will distribute $6 million in medicines.

"From this independence day anniversary today (Tuesday) every pregnant woman, lactating mother and children under five will be entitled to free health care in all government hospitals and medical clinics through out the country," Koroma said, adding that health workers will be entitled to higher salaries.

UNICEF calls the country's maternal mortality rate as "exceptionally high" at 1,800 per 100,000 live births. In 2008, life expectency was only 48 years.

Observers say that while there is plenty of bad news to report on Sierra Leone, recent years have seen the return of many educated and talented members of the Diaspora who fled during the years of bloody civil war. With pristine, uncrowded beaches there is also the potential of new tourism projects.

Staff, Wires