Launching the RMNCAH Scorecard and closing the four day 2016 Health Sector Performance Review at Catco International Hotel in Freetown, Madam Rahman disclosed that the Scorecard will be to assess performance of priority indicators across RMNCAH programmes on a quarterly basis.
She reiterated that as they are currently implementing the Presidential Recovery Plan and making tremendous progress, they need to be able to track the outcome of all efforts in improving access to health services.
Madam Madina Rahman tasked the Directorates of Policy, Planning and Information, and Reproductive and Child Health to move the operationalization of the scorecards downwards from the national level to ensure that all districts are able to have an individual scorecard that measures performance across chiefdoms and even health facilities.
She informed her audience that the Ministry of Health and Sanitation will uses this tool for management and accountability, adding that the quarterly scorecards are presented and reviewed at the management meetings at all levels of the Ministry.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. BrimaKargbostressed the importance of the scorecard adding that the Ministry is putting in place a functional, effective, sustainable and affordable health system that is accessible to the public.
He informed his audience that the Ministry of Health and Sanitation is putting systems in place with the introduction of the National Emergency Medical Services (NEMS) an Ambulance services to ease the problem of maternal mortality, and improve the referral system in all Peripheral Health Units and hospitals. He added that the Ministry is also introducing the Expanded Sanitary Inspection Compliance and Enforcement (ESICOME), an upgraded version of the Ministry to combat insanitary activities and badhygiene practices.
Dr. Kargbo disclosed that the Ministry has secured the services of foreign doctors, while a good number of Sierra Leonean practitioners are currently undergoing training in specialized fields to support the country’s health system.
WHO Health Advisor, AlexnderChimbaru said the launch of the RMNCAH Scorecard, and the overall recent progress in the implementation of initiatives make health data more accessible.
He said the features described in the scorecard, builds upon previous initiatives, is another step to improve the use of data for decision making and make programme data available in a format that is user friendly and easily accessible to all.
Mr. AlexnderChimbaru said the lessons learnt during the response to the Ebola outbreak is that data is needed for meaningful response to a health issue, adding that the only way they can see the progress will be to constantly use data that is produced through routine health information system.
The Director of Policy, Planning and Information (DPPI), Dr. Samuel Kargbo told the gathering that the scorecard is a system which is not to be seen as a witch-hunt but an effective way to monitor progress and challenges within the health sector.
The ceremony was chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Mr. David Banya.ealthHealth
