It is incredible to think that it’s already time to set our resolutions and plans for 2025. Where did the time go? As we eagerly anticipate the new year and all it holds, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on some key 2024 highlights of our work.
Medicines & Supplies Support Health System & Improved Maternal Health Outcomes
Strengthening the health systems in Sierra Leone has been a priority for HIRF. By providing essential medicines, medical supplies, and equipment, we have significantly improved health outcomes for thousands in underserved communities. So far in 2024, we have facilitated 13 shipments valued at over $13 million, which were distributed to hospitals and clinics throughout Sierra Leone. Many of these shipments contained medicines to specifically support pregnant women and children who face high mortality rates. To hear firsthand the value of our shipments click here.
Maternal and Newborn Care Conference
Another key component of our efforts has been capacity building within the healthcare workforce. Our initiatives have evolved from small workshops to our inaugural maternal and newborn care conference in Bo in January 2024. Maternal mortality rates remain high in Sierra Leone, at 443 per 100,000 live births, despite more women seeking care at health facilities. Research indicates that a lack of advanced skills among nurses and midwives is a major contributing factor, highlighting the critical importance of capacity building.
Along with Together For Global Health, Tenki for Born, other partners and support from the government, the conference provided advanced training to over 90 nurses and midwives in the Bo District. In October, we held refresher training sessions and were encouraged to learn how participants were applying their new skills to improve care quality. Additionally, some conference attendees received further training and became Rising Trainers, delivering over 20 local training sessions across several districts, thereby expanding the impact of our efforts. On our To Do list for 2025 – a Maternal and Newborn Care Conference in Kenema District. If you would like to support this effort, please visit our conference page by clicking here.
Partnership with Vitamin Angels Continues to Improve Nutrition for Pregnant Women and Young Children
Our partnership with Vitamin Angels continues to improve the nutritional health of pregnant women. In 2024, shipments of prenatal multivitamins helped over 30,000 pregnant women. Undernourished women face a higher risk of severe complications during pregnancy and childbirth, making this support crucial. Additionally, around 100,000 children under five received Vitamin A supplements and Albendazole to build strong immune systems and prevent disease.
To ensure proper administration of these supplements, HIRF and Vitamin Angels trained 26 nurses and nutritionists from over 14 facilities across Sierra Leone. The training focused on identifying and addressing malnutrition to improve maternal and child nutrition in underserved communities. It also covered the correct administration of Vitamin A supplements to children under five.
Mamusu Conteh from Loreto Health Services in Makeni expressed her gratitude for the learning experience, saying, “This training has taught me a lot, and now I can implement these practices in my facility.”
HIRF Supports Gender Justice Efforts in Sierra Leone
Recognizing the link between gender justice and women’s health, HIRF is partnering with Uman Tok, Every Women Sierra Leone, and Berny’s Hope Foundation to strengthen their capacity and expand their gender justice initiatives in Sierra Leone. With funding from Comic Relief, the EmpowerHER project will train staff in fundraising, project management, finance, monitoring and evaluation, governance, grant writing, and leadership. This training will give staff the skills they need to enhance their efforts and better support their organizations’ gender justice work.
HIRF will help develop the training materials for the project. Executive Director Josephine Garnem stated, “We are happy to be a part of this effort to strengthen the work of three Sierra Leonean organizations involved in the vital field of gender justice and doing critical and life-saving work. These organizations are true change-makers, and this program will significantly enhance their capacity to positively impact lives and achieve their goals.”
This is a three-year initiative, so look for updates on this project in 2025.
Key U.S. Government Partnerships-ASHA Grant Encourages Young Girls to Pursue STEM Careers
In 2024 the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) renewed our Limited Excess Property Program grant. This grant supports our health systems strengthening efforts and we are pleased that we were selected to continue to be a part of this program.
We are also continuing working on our USAID American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) Innovate Your Future Project. The project focuses on reaching at-risk youth in Sierra Leone and demonstrating to them how the values of teamwork, science, technology, and innovation can help solve economic and healthcare challenges. Sierra Leone has a predominately young population with nearly 25% of the population between the ages of 10-19. The project is specifically designed to inspire young women to see themselves as future leaders, innovators, and change-makers. Workshops were held in key areas across Sierra Leone.
To support the program, Universal Anesthesia Machines (UAM) were purchased and placed in hospitals throughout Sierra Leone. The UAM was selected for the project because it addresses common obstacles faced by many hospitals in Sierra Leone, such as intermittent electricity supply and lack of medical oxygen. Workshops and site visits showed the youth how this equipment is saving lives and improving health outcomes in their communities. Many participants were unfamiliar with this technology, and this firsthand exposure allowed them to engage with science and technology and see its impact.
Hawa Yokie, CEO of the Kamara Yokie Innovation Center, spoke at some of the workshops. She shared her journey into technology and science, transitioning from an arts student to a professional in solar technology and robotics. Her story, combined with the practical sessions on technology, left a lasting impact on the participants. Many young women left the events with renewed enthusiasm for learning and a desire to explore opportunities in science and technology. The program concludes next year.
Looking forward to 2025
We made remarkable strides in Women’s Health and Empowerment in 2024, and we extend heartfelt thanks to all our partners and supporters who made this progress possible.
Now, as we turn our focus to 2025, let’s remember the words of C.S. Lewis, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” Here’s to new beginnings and continued growth!
