Health Programme Initiative

The health of widows and their children in Sierra Leone is significantly compromised by economic challenges and the lack of basic healthcare access, exacerbated by the burdens of frequent childbirth and extensive labor. This situation leads to increased diseases and higher mortality rates among these vulnerable groups, particularly impacting young and teenage children. The Government of Sierra Leone, acknowledging the critical role of health in building a productive society, has outlined investments in health systems, specialized skills, and emergency services to meet healthcare demands.

Complementing these efforts, the JNJ Foundation has been instrumental in past years, providing medical donations and focusing on mental health awareness. Recognizing the need for a holistic approach to health, the foundation's initiative includes the distribution of sanitary pads to teenage girls and first-aid packages, facilitated by the Office of the First Lady and other agencies.

Moving forward, the JNJ Foundation's commitment involves a two-pronged strategy: enhancing awareness on health and hygiene, and ensuring access to vital medical information and services. By providing education on healthy living and offering necessary medical resources, the foundation seeks to address the immediate health concerns of widows and their children. Moreover, through mental health awareness campaigns, the foundation aims to break the cycle of vulnerability, particularly for the girl child, from birth. The overarching goal is to foster a society where widows and their families are not only surviving but thriving, with the capacity to contribute to the socio-economic well-being of their communities.