Reproductive health project in Sierra Leone

Abstract

In close cooperation with the European Baptist Mission (EBM) and the Baptist Convention in Sierra Leone (BCSL), the Norwegian Baptist Union (NBU) is preparing to send a mid-wife as missionary to Sierra Leone. In order to include the target group in the planning this feasibility study was organised in June 2006. The team visited officials in Freetown before they went to Lunsar, the target area that was 120 km north of Freetown. Sierra Leone has the highest under fives mortality and the highest mother mortality rate in the World. The Lunsar area has a far higher mortality rate then the average of the country. The joint initiative from the BSCL, NBU and EBM was very well received by local authorities and by local health authorities. After long meetings with grassroots organisations, in particular women’s associations, the outline of a project was decided. The mid-wife will work in close cooperation with the Community Health Centre in order to train traditional birth attendants and Maternal Child Health Aids who are part of the Public Health. She will also provide individual kits for these two categories. The project will also rehabilitate the Community Health Centre, which was heavily damaged during the war. She will also work with the Baptist Union Women’s Association in Lunsar, teaching nutrition for children and pregnant women. The women of this association have experience in educational work in the local community. They will in their turn share the knowledge about nutrition with other women and women’s groups in the area.