By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Freetown, July 6, 2025 — The Ministry of Health (MoH) is ramping up efforts to promote breastfeeding and improve maternal and child health through a dynamic blend of policy reform, digital innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. These initiatives were spotlighted during the World Breastfeeding Week 2025.
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister 1, Ministry of Health, Dr. Charles Senessie, highlighted landmark legislation such as the West Mid-South Inter-Act of 2021 and the Gender Equality Agreement Empowered Act of 2022, which have expanded paid maternity leave from 12 to 14 weeks.
“We are pushing more and more… that we are the men to make sure that we increase maternity leave,” Dr. Senessie affirmed, emphasizing the government’s drive to foster family-friendly workplaces and societal support for breastfeeding mothers.
He also reiterated the Ministry’s pledge to deliver quality healthcare services and empower families with real-time, accurate health information, acknowledging the vital role of media, civil society, NGOs, and development partners in supporting maternal and child health surveillance.
Dr. Senessie outlined a holistic healthcare approach that integrates health, social welfare, and inter-ministerial collaboration to address the broader determinants of maternal and child well-being. The Ministry aims to reduce maternal mortality from 1,600 deaths per 100,000 live births (2014–2015) to 354 deaths per 100,000 by 2030, with a long-term goal of zero preventable maternal deaths by 2038.
Digital innovation is central to the Ministry’s strategy. Tools like the Breast-Class system and mobile health apps are currently monitoring 350,000 to 400,000 pregnancies nationwide, enabling health workers to identify and respond to high-risk cases swiftly. A dedicated unit within the Ministry ensures child health remains a top priority.
Millicent Mamie Allie, Chief Nutritionist at the Directorate of Food & Nutrition, emphasized that breastfeeding is a deliberate and vital choice for mothers, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to extending maternity leave to support continued breastfeeding.
“The babies we are bringing for the next generation will be giants for us in this nation,” Allie said, calling on men to provide emotional and nutritional support to breastfeeding mothers.
Umu-Hawa Jalloh of Helen Keller International praised the Ministry’s leadership in training health workers and promoting breastfeeding as a cornerstone of maternal and child health. She noted its alignment with cultural and religious values and its role in enhancing food security and reducing healthcare costs.
UNICEF Deputy Representative Liv Elin Indreiten commended the Ministry’s achievements and collaborative approach. She highlighted the 2021 Breastmilk Substitute Act as a key policy protecting mothers and babies from misleading marketing and promoting informed choices.
Indreiten outlined three pillars for sustaining progress: Prioritizing breastfeeding as a public health issue; creating sustainable support systems; and promoting breastfeeding’s environmental benefits.
“This is not a health business. This should be everybody’s business,” she declared, urging families, communities, employers, and policymakers to foster breastfeeding-friendly environments.
The Ministry of Health’s multi-pronged strategy—anchored in legislation, technology, and community engagement—is paving the way for improved maternal and child health outcomes. Its continued focus on breastfeeding promotion is a vital step toward reducing mortality and nurturing a healthier, more resilient Sierra Leone.