We are delighted to be welcomed to our 14th clinic at Petbana, near Makeni, in Sierra Leone’s Bombali District. This means we are now supporting 20% of the 66 Peripheral Healthcare Units (PHUs) in the region. It is an exciting sign of progress as we continue to strengthen access to maternal healthcare across this hard-to-reach, rural area.
Our new clinic is already making a difference, serving as a vital resource for young mothers and their babies, many of whom walk for hours to access medical care. As clinics coincide with local market days, we’re making it easier for young mothers to access the medical support they need during their pregnancies. Young mothers are more likely to come and see us when they can combine their visit with other daily activities and see others benefitting from the care we provide. This approach reduces the hesitation some feel about seeking medical support and might otherwise rely on traditional, local remedies.
Our Obstetric Clinical Officer, Abdul Conteh, says “Petbana is a vibrant, close-knit community with a rich local culture. Market days here bring people together from surrounding villages, and the clinic is perfectly positioned to reach a wide group of people.
“At the clinic, we’re providing our essential preventative and predictive ultrasound scanning service and health education sessions. This launch is a real team effort in conjunction with the government’s District Health Management Team and a shining example of what we can achieve when we work in partnership.
“With 20% of the district’s PHUs now under our support, we’re more committed than ever to bringing healthcare closer to those who need it most, ensuring no mother or child is left behind.”