By Henry Kargbo
Children’s Network Sierra Leone (CFN) has requested the next Government of Sierra Leone expand Free Health Care initiative to cover all children between the ages of 0-5 years in the country.
The said demand was made during the launched of the organization’s 2023 Children’s Manifesto, Wednesday 31st May to Political Parties, Family Kingdom, Aberdeen, Freetown.
According to the Manifesto, the President Children’s Forum Network (CFN) Mahmoud Barrie told Political parties and the Media that they want the coming Government to provide enough drugs and equipment in health facilities so that every child including those with disabilities can have access to free health care.
Barrie further requested government to recruit more trained and qualify health care workers in all health facilities.
CFN yearns for the development and implementation of policies that promote access to good hygiene and sanitation at homes, Schools and communities.
Barrie requested the state to develop, popularize and implement policies that promote good nutrition for children with a focus on six-month exclusive breast feeding and complementary feeding.
President CFN outlined key problems that had and continues to limit the enjoyment of children health during the past government.
He noted that health facilities are few, and as a result, children in remote communities have limited access to health care.
He pointed inadequate drugs and equipment in health facilities, thereby limiting the full implement of the Free Health care initiative for children,
He continued, many children fall ill due to poor hygiene’s and sanitation facilities at homes, schools, and communities, resulting to high rate of malnutrition among children’s, particularly those under five.
Barrie added, they are requesting government to improve adolescent friendly services at all health facilities.
He called for the formation, popularization and implementation of policies that he continued will address discrimination and stigma around sexual reproductive health services and HIV/AIDS for adolescents.
They are demanding government provides mental health care for children and adolescents, trained health workers on child friendly services, fast track the enactment of the mental health bill, that he disclosed will repeal the 1902 Larceny Act and protect children and adolescent with mental health conditions.
Barrie also throwed light on the need for Improve water supply to the many unreached communities to enable all children access clean water.
He demands the construction of disabled friendly toilet facilities in all public structures.
Political parties representatives present at the launched commanded Children’s Network Sierra Leone (CFN) for the manifesto.
As political parties, they assured that they will take a critical look at the manifesto and factor some of demands if they happen to form the next government.
