Addressing participants, the Chairman of the Committee on Health and Sanitation, Hon. Dr. Abdulai Sesay commended the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for engaging MPs on health related issues, whilst calling for continued consultations with the Committee.

Submitting, the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Abubakarr Fofanah recognized the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in the development of the nation. He also underscored that the reason for the engagement with Parliament is to mobilize and sustain high level commitment in the fight against diseases in the country, with the view of creating an enabling environment to address issues that are affecting the development of the health sector.

Both Leaders of the House welcomed the initiative of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for updating Parliament on its activities. As representatives of the people, they called on the Ministry of Health to inculcate the idea of involving Members of Parliament in most of their activities geared towards improving the health sector in the country.

PowerPoint presentations were done by Dr. Samuel Smith, Programme Manager, National Malaria Control Programme on a Synopsis of National Malaria Strategy Interventions, Dr. Santigie Sesay, Director, Reproductive Child Health, on the First Annual Maternal Death Surveillance and Response Report, whilst Dr. Sulaiman Lakoh, Physician Specialist gave an  update on the status of Hepatitis “B” in Sierra Leone.

MPs also welcomed the advocacy and sensitization meeting and whilst calling for proper coordination and effective collaboration with the aim of improving on the development of the health sector.