Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Sierra Leone has joined global health leaders, policymakers, philanthropists, and researchers at the Innovation and Action for Immunization and Child Survival Forum 2025, a high-level gathering focused on accelerating access to life-saving vaccines and ending preventable child deaths across sub-Saharan Africa.
A high-level convening aimed at accelerating progress toward expanding access to life-saving immunization and ending preventable child deaths across sub-Saharan Africa. Hosted by the Governments of Mozambique and Sierra Leone, and in partnership with the Government of Spain, “la Caixa” Foundation, the Gates Foundation, and UNICEF, the forum comes just five years to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.
‘’It is time for a bold new continental movement that redefines the way we approach child survival in Africa, for a more prosperous, peaceful, and productive Africa,” said Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health, at the opening ceremony of the forum.
“Our next steps must be evidence-informed high-impact interventions, including new vaccines and better vaccine regimens, integrated care, domestic investment, and equity-driven solutions. Because when we fight for every child, we shape a better future for communities and the world at large,” said the Minister.
He further added that, in Sierra Leone, child survival remains a key government priority, with significant progress made; under-five mortality has dropped by 53% and neonatal mortality by 38% since 2010. The Government has reaffirmed its commitment by introducing dedicated budget lines in FY2025 to co-finance all new vaccines, including the malaria vaccine.
However, too many children are still dying from preventable causes. Sierra Leone continues to have one of the highest under-five mortality rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. Out-of-pocket spending remains above 50% of total health expenditure, limiting families’ access to life-saving care. With health receiving just 8% of the national budget, service delivery is further constrained by poor infrastructure, limited supplies, and critical health worker shortages.
The convening will also spotlight ongoing record levels of global funding cuts to public health programmes, including immunization. With increasing budgetary pressure within low- and middle-income countries and little room to immediately raise domestic and philanthropic funding to plug these gaps, the impact of these cuts is even more acute, especially in fragile and conflict-affected settings where children are nearly three times more likely to die before reaching age five.
Dialogue was also centered on the need to scale up innovations, diagnostic tools, and nutrition solutions to reach all children, especially the most vulnerable in conflict-afflicted and climate-impacted settings.
Additionally, Various speakers emphasize strengthening service delivery through integrated child health platforms, community health worker programs, and digital tools, as well as building sustainable financing by mobilizing domestic resources, pooling international aid, and exploring innovative financing mechanisms.
“Every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy and thrive. Thanks to proven solutions and innovative care, we’ve made remarkable progress in helping more children survive their earliest, most vulnerable years. By investing in strong, integrated primary health-care systems and reaching every child with life-saving care no matter who they are or where they live, we can save millions more young lives and build stronger families, communities, and futures,” said Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque, Director of Health, UNICEF.
The Immunization and Child Survival Forum 2025 brings together stakeholders across selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions, including senior health ministry officials, development agencies, donors, academia, civil society, and the private sector.
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