AYV News, July 25, 2023

Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio have discussed the establishment of a national public health agency and ways to support, as well as efforts to expand immunisation, eliminate Cervical Cancer and reduce Maternal Mortality together.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “Honoured to meet my brother President Bio at the UNFSS 2023. Thanked him for Sierra Leone’s investment in emergency preparedness, including via WHO Universal Health Preparedness Review.

President Bio said: “It was indeed a fruitful deliberation meeting with my brother Dr Tedros. Thank you for your continued support, partnership and abiding faith in my Government’s commitment to improving healthcare service delivery in Sierra Leone.

“My government will continue to expand investments in the health sector and work with you and the WHO towards promoting SDG3 and other health priorities in Sierra Leone. We remain committed to supporting collective actions that will make the world safer, based on the principles of equal treatment and mutual accountability.

Prior to the WHO engagement, President Bio presented the High-level Opening Remarks at the UNFSS+2 session on “School Meals Powering Food Systems Transformation” in Rome.

The President said: “This morning, I had the pleasure of presenting the High-level Opening Remarks at the UNFSS+2 session on ‘School Meals Powering Food Systems Transformation’ in Rome. I shared Sierra Leone’s experience as a leading example in using school feeding programmes as a tool for the promotion of education, inclusion and economic development.

“Since 2018, as part of our Free Quality School Education programme, my government has implemented enabling policies and made concerted efforts to roll out a transformational and sustainable school feeding programme.

“With the support of implementing partners, WFP, Catholic Relief, Plan Global and other local organisations, my government feeds approximately 800,000 school children nationwide, with the  government covering about 80% of the cost.

“The impact of the School Feeding programme has been positive for increasing school attendance, retention, enrolment, and reduction in stunting levels at the primary school level. Sierra Leone joined the School Meals Coalition (School Meals) in 2022 signalling our firm commitment to ensure that together with partners, every child will have the opportunity to receive a healthy, nutritious meal in school by 2030.

“We are poised to accelerate the progress through the flagship FEED SALONE initiative to boost agricultural productivity and food security in the next 5 years.”