PPASL Opens Ultra-modern Maternity Clinic

By Zainab Kanu

The Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL) in collaboration with International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) over the weekend opened its ultra-modern maternity clinic at Wesley Street in Freetown.  Photo: UNFPA-Radtidza Ndlouvu, launching the clinic.

The Chairman of the occasion, Marion Morgan, who is also the Chairman of the PPASL’s Task Force Committee said the vision for the provision of the facility is to ensure that all women and young girls enjoy their sexual and reproductive rights, noting that sexual and reproductive health is the right decision.

She expressed the Association’s gratitude to supporting partners whom she said have supported them through their struggles, noting that they have spent US$100,000 to establish the clinic

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director of Planning and Promoting Maternal and Child Health, David Williams commended PPASL for the hard work considering all that the organization went through to provide cost recovery treatment for people in Sierra Leone.

He said PPASL is a household name in the country especially when it comes to addressing and solving problems relating to sex and reproductive health, stating that PPASL is one of the oldest reproductive health centers the country can boast of, and that they are in the good books of the ministry of health.

Acting Honorary President of PPASL, Jacod Tucker said the idea of them having an ultra-modern clinic was planned long ago as they wanted to measure up to the expectations of their clients.

He also described PPASL as a voluntary organization  working toward health and in their own way contributing to compliment government’s efforts in reducing the number of maternal and infant mortality, while ensuring that no women dies while giving birth.

Launching the PPASL Maternity Unit, the Country Representative of UNFPA, Ratidza Ndlouvu said a country without vision and provision of quality sexual reproductive health services including family planning and related gender issues is heading for chaos.

She said Sierra Leone will not meet the MDG 3, 4, and 5, hence UNFPA intervention to give additional support to PPASL, first by elevating it from the sub-contract to a full fledged implementing partner.

She thanked PPASL for their effort in addressing sexual and reproductive needs of the people including family planning needs of young people, to prevent teenage pregnancies and other sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS.

Research, she said, has proven that a comprehensive national family planning programme can reduce maternal mortality by up to 40% and will have a positive impact on all the other MDG indicators including poverty reduction.

She wished them good luck in providing adequate and affordable service to the most needy and affected people in Sierra Leone.