Access to Essential Medications and Equipment for Obstetric and Neonatal Primary Care in Bombali District, Sierra Leone

• Published in: World medical and health policy 2019-03, Vol.11 (1), p.8-23
• Main Authors: Koroma, Manso Mohamed, Kamara, Mohamed Amadu, Keita, Namoudou, Lokossou, Virgil K., Sundufu, Abu James, Jacobsen, Kathryn H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Drugs; essential medicines; Health care policy; maternal health; Mortality; neonatal health; Obstetrics; Primary care; Sustainable development
• ISSN: 1948-4682; 2153-2028; 1948-4682
• DOI: 10.1002/wmh3.295

The increased demand for basic emergency obstetric and neonatal care (BEmONC) services in Sierra Leone since the launch of the nationwide free maternity care initiative in 2010 has strained the capacity of the system to provide high‐quality care. In 2014, members of our research team visited all 97 functioning primary health‐care facilities in Bombali district in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone to evaluate gaps in access to BEmONC. Although most facilities had the equipment necessary for maternal and neonatal care, these were often not in satisfactory condition. Most of the facilities did not stock all of the essential medicines for BEmONC, and less than 10 percent of the facilities had sufficient stocks of unexpired and properly stored medications. Stronger supply chains will be necessary to improve health system performance in Sierra Leone, reduce maternal mortality, increase neonatal survival, and achieve targets associated with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).