UNICEF and Mastercard Foundation Partner to Strengthen Community Health Services for Children in Sierra Leone
Three year initiative supports government led systems to expand access to life saving care for children under five, particularly in hard to reach communities
Freetown, 28 January 2026 – UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and with support from the Mastercard Foundation, today launched a three year initiative to strengthen community health services for children in Sierra Leone.
The programme focuses on improving access to life saving care for children under five, particularly in hard to reach communities, by strengthening government led Community Health Worker (CHW) systems as a core pillar of Primary Health Care.
Community Health Workers are the backbone of Primary Health Care in Sierra Leone and play a critical role in protecting the health and survival of young children. Often serving as the first — and sometimes only — point of contact with the health system in remote communities, CHWs support early diagnosis, referrals, immunization, nutrition and maternal care for children under five.
As part of this initiative, with support from the Mastercard Foundation, UNICEF and the Ministry of Health are launching a nationwide verification and geo mapping exercise to strengthen planning, accountability and service delivery within the national Community Health Worker system.
Despite recent progress, Sierra Leone continues to face serious health challenges. Maternal and under five mortality rates remain among the highest globally, with maternal mortality estimated at 354 per 100,000 live births and under five mortality at 94.3 per 1,000 live births. Most of these deaths are caused by preventable and treatable conditions such as malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, neonatal complications and malnutrition. These challenges are further compounded by shortages of health workers, weak referral systems and persistent inequities in access to quality health services.
“Community Health Workers play a critical role in preventing avoidable deaths among young children, particularly in hard to reach communities,” said Rudolf Schwenk, UNICEF Representative in Sierra Leone. “This initiative strengthens the systems that support them, so that children can access life saving care when and where they need it most.”
The joint community health initiative supports national efforts to strengthen the Community Health Worker programme as a core pillar of Primary Health Care and Universal Health Coverage. By enhancing skills, supervision, data systems and integration within national systems structures, the programme aims to improve the quality, continuity and reach of life saving services for children under five, particularly in hard to reach communities.
Through strengthened training, supervision and system support, the programme will reinforce the capacity and effectiveness of more than 7,000 Community Health Workers and 1,000 additional health workers nationwide. The majority of these frontline workers are women, whose role is critical to delivering timely, quality care for young children and supporting healthier, more resilient communities.
“Strengthening community health is a national priority and a core pillar of our government’s commitment to build a stronger and more self-reliant health system,” said Dr Charles Senessie, Deputy Minister of Health 1. “This partnership supports our drive to professionalize and formalize the Community Health Worker programme across the country, ensuring that districts have the authority, data, and resources to plan and deliver effectively. By reinforcing our primary health care structures, we are advancing a national agenda that puts communities first and ensures every Sierra Leonean child and family can depend on a responsive and accountable health system.”
The programme will be implemented by the Ministry of Health, with technical support from UNICEF, in close collaboration with the Directorate of Primary Health Care, District Health Management Teams and partners across all districts in Sierra Leone.
By 2028, the approach being implemented in Sierra Leone is expected to contribute to broader efforts across multiple African countries to strengthen and integrate Community Health Worker programmes as part of resilient Primary Health Care systems, improving access to essential services for millions of children and families.
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For more information, please contact: Suzanne Wooster, Communication Specialist, UNICEF Sierra Leone: swooster@unicef.org
About UNICEF: UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children in Sierra Leone, visit unicef.org/sierraleone Follow UNICEF Sierra Leone on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
About Master Card Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation is one of the world’s largest private foundations, working to advance education and financial inclusion so that young people, particularly in Africa, can access dignified and fulfilling work. The Foundation partners with governments, UN agencies, civil society and the private sector to support systems level solutions that promote equity and long term impact.
For more information, visit: www.mastercardfdn.org The content of your email goes here.
