UNICEF Sierra Leone through Technical and financial support has partnered with Pediatric Association of Sierra Leone to Celebrate First Annual General Scientific Meeting (AGSM). The theme of the Annual General Scientific Meeting (AGSM) is “Breaking the Circle: End Childhood Malnutrition in Sierra Leone.
During the Annual General Scientific Meeting on Friday 30th May, 2025 at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, the Annual celebration was coupled with a Launch of the Sierra Leone’s National Nutrition Information Management System Commitment Framework for 2025-2030.
The President of the Pediatric Association of Sierra, Dr Nellie V. T. Bell stated that the Association is one of the youngest Pediatric Association in the world, adding that the vision for it establishment is to promote quality health care for all children in Sierra Leone and continue to provide quality Pediatric care. “Since the establishment of the Association for the past 24 months, the Association has being advocating for the Children of Sierra Leone and it has also promoted comprehensive approach of Pediatric practice, research, and experience of medical practitioners.
She highlighted that, UNICEF has been the lead sponsor for the Annual General Scientific Meeting.
The UNICEF Deputy Country Representative Liv Elin Indreiten in her statement, stated that UNICEF is delighted to Join Pediatric Association of Sierra Leone to commemorate it first Anniversary of the Pediatric Association of Sierra Leone.
She noted that the theme highlights the crucial role that Pediatrician nurses and other health care professionals play critical roles in addressing one of the greatest threats to children wellbeing.
“Children are face with significance challenges Sierra Leone and three in every children in Sierra Leone is stunted. It is estimated that 260,000 children under five are mostly malnourished every year with 60,000 suffering from severe acute malnutrition and that only3.6% of children under five receive a minimum acceptable diet,” she said.
Dr. Liv maintained that malnutrition is not just about food, it is complex, rooted in poverty, inequality, poor access to services and lack of education.
She congratulated the Pediatric Association of Sierra Leone on such milestone while pledging UNICEF commitment in working with stakeholders to advance child health across Sierra Leone.
The Deputy Minister of Health 1, Dr. Charles Senessie, in his statement said the area of pediatric when a doctor at the children’s hospital in Freetown, recognize that children are the future of today’s world.
“When the child is well nourished, they are able to mount up enough responses to diseases. The Ministry has a holistic plan called the life skill.”
The Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh while launching the National Information Nutrition Management System Frame for 2025-2030 was honoured with Honorary Membership Certificate as Certified Member of the Pediatric Association of Sierra Leone.
The Vice President thanked the Pediatric Association of Sierra Leone and their partner UNICEF for the work they continue to do
“Thank you for honouring me and to be part of this noble Association. When you look at this year’s game breaking the cycle, or when you talk about nutrition you talk about children. I know health practitioners have various tools and various definitions,” he said.
The Vice President noted that globally, nearly 45% of all child deaths are limited to underage children, while thanking Pediatric Association of Sierra Leone and UNICEF for the progress made.
“We cannot make such progress alone. The Government of Sierra Leone extraordinary commitment and compassion is at the core of the gains made and the gains we continue to make,” he said.
