Abstract

This strategy was developed in advance of the November 18 and 19 Sierra Leone Conference: Stability, Opportunity, Growth by the Government of Sierra Leone and the Development Partners to set out how to jointly implement the National Policy of free health care services for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under 5 years of age. In line with the Presidents Agenda for Change and the new Health Sector Strategic Plan, this document outlines how we will fundamentally alter prospects for women and children. It focuses on an essential package of health care services that will be delivered free of charge at the point of service to ensure a significant improvement in maternal and child health. This will mean that in 2010 approximately 230,000 pregnant women and nearly one million infants will benefit from free health care services. The strategy sets out the critical success factors and proposed timescale for implementation that will help Sierra Leone achieve its maternal and child health Millennium Development Goals.