In a landmark step toward improving child health outcomes, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh officially launched Sierra Leone’s National Nutrition Information Management System (NNIMS) and the National Nutrition Commitment Framework (2025–2030) during the first anniversary celebration of the Pediatric Association of Sierra Leone, held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
Describing the launch as a “transformative moment,” Vice President Jalloh emphasized that the new digital platform will enable real-time monitoring of nutrition data, strengthen coordination among stakeholders, and enhance evidence-based decision-making across government and development partners. “This tool gives us the opportunity to plan, make data-driven decisions in real time, and ensure greater transparency and accountability,” he stated.
The Vice President further underscored that malnutrition remains one of the most urgent development challenges facing Sierra Leone, with far-reaching implications for child survival, national productivity, and economic development. “Addressing malnutrition requires a holistic system that integrates food security, healthcare delivery, and community interventions,” he added.
The newly launched National Nutrition Commitment Framework outlines 11 measurable targets, including improved access to nutritious food for 500,000 vulnerable citizens, expanding school feeding programs to cover all pre-primary and primary school children, and ensuring that 75% of pregnant women receive multiple micronutrient supplements.
Deputy Minister of Health, Professor Charles Senessie, in his remarks, stressed the importance of community engagement and system strengthening as key drivers for improving child nutrition outcomes. He highlighted the expansion of healthcare access nationwide while calling for greater community-level interventions to address behavioral and prevention challenges linked to malnutrition.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Mellie V. T. Bell, President of the Pediatric Association of Sierra Leone, reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to clinical care, research, advocacy, and education in addressing child malnutrition. She cited recent findings from community nutrition screenings where 20% of children assessed were malnourished, some with severe acute malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Dr. Bell emphasized that child malnutrition remains a grave threat, particularly for children under five who make up nearly 45% of Sierra Leone’s population. She also announced the honorary membership of Vice President Jalloh, recognizing his leadership in advancing maternal and child health.
The UNICEF Representative commended the Pediatric Association’s leadership and praised healthcare workers for serving as the first line of defense in the fight against malnutrition. She emphasized that one in three children in Sierra Leone suffers from malnutrition annually, with 60,000 cases of severe acute malnutrition reported. “This is not just a health crisis; it is a developmental emergency that demands urgent, cross-sectoral action,” she stated, while reaffirming UNICEF’s ongoing partnership with the government.
In closing, Vice President Jalloh praised the dedication and resilience of healthcare professionals, reaffirming government’s commitment to continue working with all stakeholders in combating malnutrition. “The gains we have made since 2019 are the result of your hard work. But we cannot move forward as a country without your continued engagement,” he affirmed before officially opening the Association’s annual meeting.
Aminata Turay, SLENA Correspondent
