After nearly four years strengthening the use of evidence, advocacy and accountability for maternal and newborn survival in Sierra Leone, UK Department for International Development funding for the Evidence for Action (E4A) MamaYe programme draws to a close in December 2015.
2015 has been a challenging year for the health sector and our collective efforts in the fight against Ebola have yielded positive results as Sierra Leone is now new Ebola transmission free. MamaYe has contributed to Facility Improvement Team (FIT) scorecards highlighting gaps in readiness to provide lifesaving emergency care for mothers and newborns.
Communities are equipped with the evidence – to hold decision makers to account. District-level maternal death review meetings allow fatal complications to be reviewed, to ensure that mothers’ lives are saved. And crucially, this work will be sustained thanks to the commitment of our government, partners and regional MamaYe campaign.
In 2016, Options will continue to work in partnership to improve the health of women and children in Sierra Leone. We will maintain the MamaYe approach by migrating our evidence and advocacy expertise across other Options programmes and will continue to share the evidence and tools to take action for maternal and newborn health via our website.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Wishing you a pleasant and warm festive season and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
Happy New Year!
Dr. Mohamed Drissa Yilla, Country Representative, Options Consultancy Services, Sierra Leone