Maternal and newborn mortality rates are high in Sierra Leone, with 122 deaths per 1,000 live births.  To improve health outcomes, in 2010 the government began offering free health care services for mothers and young children.  However, geographic access limits pregnant women and children from reaching health services, especially since very few villages are connected to a main road.  Barriers to accessing quality healthcare are especially prevalent in Tikonko, one of 14 chiefdoms in Bo District located in Sierra Leone’s Southern Province. Large sections of Tikonko were completely destroyed from 1994-1995 during Sierra Leone’s civil war.  

One Day’s Wages is partnering with Rural Health Care Initiative to improve maternal and child health outcomes in Tikonko Chiefdom.  Our partnership is expanding child health services through newborn home visits, an immunization program for young children, malaria case management, outreach clinics, and financial support for children with acute illness requiring hospitalization.  Children with malnutrition receive specialized treatment that includes cooking demonstrations for caregivers. Similarly, our partnership supports health services for pregnant, postpartum and lactating mothers through a women’s health clinic and financial support for obstetric emergencies requiring hospitalization. The capacity of Tikonko’s health workers will grow through in-depth training opportunities on topics including preventative care, newborn care, immunizations, and malnutrition.