March 2025 – Moyamba District - The Person-Centered Life Stages Approach is transforming Sierra Leone’s healthcare system by aligning services with the needs of individuals from preconception to old age. This approach, a cornerstone of the country’s vision for Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promotes integrated, equitable, and responsive care. To bring this vision to life at the district level, the Ministry of Health launched the Spotlight on Districts Campaign, with Moyamba as its first focus.

The campaign, which took place from 21–22 March 2025, aimed to orient local stakeholders on the life stages model, create implementation roadmaps, engage communities in health planning, and ensure the availability of essential medicines and services. With this approach, the country aims to make quality healthcare accessible to everyone, everywhere, from the youngest to the oldest.

During the campaign visit, the District Health Management Team (DHMT) for Moyamba presented its progress in implementing the Person-Centered Life Stages Approach. Supported by technical expertise from the World Health Organization (WHO), the district has made impressive strides in improving health services. The DHMT conducted stakeholder orientations, led baseline service delivery assessments, prioritized interventions for health facilities, and developed a district-specific work plan aligned with the life stages model.

"The Life Stages Approach is more than just a strategy; it’s about ensuring that every individual, no matter their age or background, receives the care they need at every stage of life," said Dr. Austin Demby, the Minister of Health of Sierra Leone. "By focusing on all stages of life, we are fostering an integrated, responsive, and sustainable health system for Sierra Leone."

Key achievements in Moyamba include the deployment of four new medical doctors to Moyamba Government Hospital, enhancing service delivery. The hospital is also nearing the completion of its solarization project, which will provide 24-hour electricity to ensure uninterrupted critical services. Additionally, antenatal care visits have increased from one to three times per week, and immunization is now offered daily instead of weekly. Furthermore, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services were fully integrated into the Antenatal Care (ANC) and maternity units, improving outcomes for both mothers and babies.

A major milestone in the district hospital was the launch of an integrated reproductive health center at Moyamba Hospital, offering services like cervical cancer screening, family planning, HIV testing, and clinical follow-up care. This followed specialized training for healthcare workers (HCWs) supported by the WHO. Additionally, four healthcare facilities identified Quality Improvement (QI) projects after receiving WHO-supported QI training, further enhancing service delivery.

The WHO Country Representative, Dr. George Ameh, emphasized the importance of the Life Stages Approach and the support of the United Nations (UN) system in advancing the initiative. "The UN Country Team is fully committed to supporting the Life Stages Approach as a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Health. We are finalizing a joint work plan to support Moyamba as the national demonstration site for this life stages model, which will serve as a model for other districts across the country," said Dr. Ameh. "By improving healthcare services at all stages of life, we are not just saving lives but creating a more equitable and sustainable health system."

As part of the Health Train Campaign, which was officially launched during the visit, the Ministry of Health, together with the WHO and other partners, deployed three mobile hospitals, offering free consultations, diagnostics, and medicines to underserved communities. This initiative aims to reach populations that would otherwise have limited access to healthcare, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

"The Health Train Campaign is a transformative initiative, bringing healthcare directly to those who need it the most," stated Dr. Demby. "By reaching underserved communities, we are taking significant steps toward ensuring that Universal Health Coverage (UHC) becomes a reality for all Sierra Leoneans."

The collaboration between the Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, and other stakeholders is paving the way for a more equitable and responsive health system in Sierra Leone. The success of the Spotlight on Districts Campaign in Moyamba is a powerful demonstration of what is possible when communities, healthcare providers, and international partners work together to create a shared vision for Universal Health Coverage.