By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Freetown, 30 April 2026 – UNICEF has announced a major health initiative that will directly benefit nearly 400,000 children in Sierra Leone, supported by the Government of China through the China Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF).
The programme was launched at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown alongside the unveiling of Cohort 4 of the Post-Basic Certificate in Neonatal Nursing (PBCNN) and the graduation of Cohort 3. The initiative brings together UNICEF, the Government of Sierra Leone, and the Government of China in a strategic partnership to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve outcomes for women and children.
UNICEF’s Commitment
UNICEF Representative Rudolf Schwenk described the project as a “timely and critical intervention” to accelerate newborn and child survival. He emphasized that the initiative would improve quality of care, strengthen the health workforce, ensure availability of essential medicines and equipment, and enhance service delivery at both community and facility levels.
Schwenk highlighted that the programme is expected to indirectly reach over 1.1 million people nationwide. He also celebrated the graduation of 80 neonatal nurses trained under earlier cohorts, noting their impact on Sierra Leone’s Special Care Baby Units, which achieved a 90 percent survival rate for admitted babies in 2025.
China’s Partnership
Chinese Ambassador Zhao Yong underscored the project’s significance within the broader framework of China–Sierra Leone cooperation. He explained that the initiative will strengthen health systems at national and district levels, improve services in 83 health facilities, and build the capacity of at least 650 healthcare workers and 300 community workers.
Ambassador Zhao recalled previous GDF-supported programmes that established Special Care Baby Units and benefited hundreds of thousands of women and children. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to Sierra Leone’s health sector, citing past collaborations in combating Ebola, COVID-19, and Mpox, as well as efforts to expand universal health coverage.
The launch also marked the unveiling of Cohort 4 of the neonatal nursing programme, supported by UNICEF and partners, with earlier cohorts funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Schwenk stressed that investing in healthcare workers is central to improving child survival, while calling for accountability and efficient resource management.
The initiative reflects a shared commitment to solidarity and global cooperation, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s progress in expanding neonatal care, promoting Kangaroo Mother Care, and strengthening oxygen systems. UNICEF reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring that every child in Sierra Leone not only survives but thrives.