The Ministry of Health and Sanitation is hopeful that the additional funds for PMI requested by President Obama will be approved by the U.S. Congress, paving the way for Sierra Leone to join other countries supported by this initiative. The inclusion of Sierra Leone in the PMI will be a realization of the request by His Excellency, the President Dr. Ernest BaiKoroma during a White House meeting in 2013 with President Barack Obama.
PMI is projected to strengthen the ability of the Sierra Leone Government to reduce malaria illness and deaths with the long-term aim to eliminate the disease. Globally, malaria kills nearly half a million people each year – a child every 2 minutes – and sickens hundreds of millions. In Sierra Leone, malaria is the most common cause of illness and death and contributes to 38% of all child mortality. No child should die of malaria, a disease that is preventable and treatable. PMI funds will help procure insecticide-treated nets and accelerate research, development, and evaluation of new tools to fight the scourge of malaria. Inclusion in PMI funding demonstrates the continued support by the United States Government to the people of Sierra Leone towards development and prosperity.
