23rd February, 2021 (232News)
FREETOWN –The Government of Sierra Leone Development Agenda, notes “The rise in teenage pregnancy and its calamitous implication for maternal mortality and the development outcomes of Sierra Leone. About 15% of our girls have sexual intercourse before 15 years; adolescent pregnancies are among the top 10 countries in the world and about 28% of adolescent girls age 15-19 years are already mothers or pregnant. About 44% of the girls are married before 18 years. About 44% of pregnancies of girls below 20 are lost after 7 months of gestation or babies die within 7 days of life. Teenage pregnancy accounts for 40% of maternal deaths”i.
“Challenges associated with sexual reproductive health and teenage pregnancy will continue to be addressed through government health programmes and private sector partnership initiatives”– Dr. Alpha Tejan Wurie, former Minister of Health and Sanitation, April 2020.
Valentine’s season is one of the most challenging periods for adolescents as it positions them (especially the ignorant) to fall victim to sexual exploitations. In support of the government’s development priorities, we are pleased to announce the launch of a month-long free Family Planning Promotion codenamed “Valentine Posin-to-Posin 2021 Promo” as both a precautionary as well as a response mechanism to help women and girls prevent unintended pregnancy. This promo will reach women and girls with quality, personalized and confidential services of choice free of user fees between Wednesday 17th February to Wednesday 17th March 2021 at our Outreaches and Public Sector Channels.
Valentine Posin-to-Posin Promo is funded and supported by Ministry of Health and Sanitation, DFID, UNFPA, WAHO and LAD. As always, free services will be available at all our 14 Outreach Sites in all districts and 116 Community Health Centres participating in the Saving Lives 2 project nationwide.
“As adolescent girls traverse the path from childhood to womanhood, their sexual and reproductive health and rights become even more consequential. With a newfound ability and desire to make decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their world, they are speaking up about their needs and their dreams. It is time for us to listen” – Dr. Natalia Kanem; Executive Director, UNFPA, October 2020
Free available services during the “Valentine Posin-to-Posin Promotion” period are Long Acting & Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) such as IUD (Coil), Implant (Captain Band), Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) Counselling, free screening and STI treatments.
“Valentine Posin-to-Posin Promotion” is an exceptional unique opportunity for women, girls and couples to have the power to choose a contraceptive method of choice” – Dr. Ufuoma Omo-Obi; Country Director; Marie Stopes Sierra Leone, October 2020.
We continue to thank all telecommunications companies – Orange, Africell, Q-CELL & SierraTel SL for their support as our clients, their families and stakeholders can reach us through the 3535 toll-free line from all the networks to learn more about our services or book their preferred choice of Services at a Clinic. Appointments can also be made at http://mariestopes.org.sl/book-an-appoinment.
