Paramount chief saves close to 1000 lives

  • P.C. Alimamy
    P.C. Alimamy
Meet P.C. Alimamy whose initiative has helped to save the lives of at least 837 pregnant women.

Paramount Chief Alhaji Alimamy Lahai V of Dembelia Sinkrunia Chiefdom in Koinadugu district is a hero for mothers and babies. I met him during my recent visit to the district to witness the official launch of the Maternal and Child Health Week.

He was so inspiring to listen to at the launch. He is the only Paramount Chief in the district - probably the whole of Sierra Leone - who has initiated birth -  waiting homes in all the hard - to - reach areas in his chiefdom.

P.C. Alimamy’s initiative has helped to save the lives of at least 837 pregnant women who have been admitted to these homes since 2007.

During this time there were 792 women whose babies were delivered safely, as well as 45 referrals were made to the Kabala Government Hospital and only one maternal death.

Secret to sucess

The Paramount Chief says that the secret behind achieving all this is to work closely with the health workers in his chiefdom, giving them all the support they need to encourage them to stay and work in serving lives in his area.

I was enthralled listening to the man himself, P.C. Alimamy proudly announcing the above to an audience of the great and the good at the official launch of the Maternal and Child Health Week at the Kabala Community Centre.

The jam - packed hall, which included the Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation II Madam Zuliatu Cooper, the Director of Reproductive and Child Health Dr. Santigie Sesay, other officials from the ministry of health, health partners, CSOs, the media, paramount chiefs from other chiefdoms, district authorities, DHMT, pregnant women and suckling mothers heard how the Paramount Chief discouraged home delivery.

Consequences

A fine of Le 50,000 each is levied to a husband, woman and a traditional birth attendant who allows a pregnant woman to deliver at home. PC Alimamy revealed;

14 people have been fined so far

He used the forum to encourage people to donate blood because the lack of blood is one of the difficulties his chiefdom face.

The Dembelia Sinkrunia Chiefdom PC asked the Minister and other health officials to support his chiefdom with ambulance services as well as the renovation of feeder roads leading to towns and villages because access to referral is also a challenge in his chiefdom

A Hero

The Deputy Minister of Health II and the Director of Reproductive and Child Health commended the PC for the remarkable work he has done for his chiefdom.

They assured him that they have taken note of his concerns and would see how far they could be of help to his chiefdom and the other chiefdoms in the district.

The Deputy Minister made PC Alimamy a “hero” and called on the other Paramount Chiefs present to emulate the good work of PC Alimamy.

So, in honour of the hero of this story, why not take the time to donate blood and help save lives yourself?

Contact the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, National Safe Blood Services Programme by emailing bloodservicessl@yahoo.com  or calling 077-426-8868.

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