Local MP in Sierra Leone

Local MP and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development, Stephen O'Brien, visited Sierra Leone between 29th July and 5th August, in the first visit to the West African country by a member of the new Coalition Government.

Sierra Leone suffered a vicious civil war which was ended following intervention by British forces. Anyone who has seen the film Blood Diamond will be only too aware of the horrors that took place.

During his visit, Stephen O'Brien travelled to Bo District to witness the impact the Free Health Care initiative is having on reducing maternal and child mortality in Sierra Leone.

He visited the local hospital and announced the provision of one million long-lasting insecticide treated bednets to support the Government of Sierra Leone's aim of providing every household in the country with bednets by the end of the year.

Sierra Leone suffers badly from the scourge of malaria. Stephen O'Brien said:
"In Sierra Leone, where malaria is responsible for a quarter of all deaths in the country, it is estimated that this bed-net campaign will save the lives of over 4,400 Sierra Leonean children every year.

"Malaria is responsible for 25% of all deaths in Sierra Leone. Nearly half of all those attending health facilities do so because of malaria, which is responsible for nearly 40% of all hospital admissions in the country.

"The provision of bednets is an effective and inexpensive way of preventing the spread of malaria which continues to be Africa's single biggest killer."

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