Sierra Leone Independence day...

Today is an important day in Sierra Leone, with its people celebrating their country's independence since 1961 after more than 150 years of colonial rule. Independence Day is always a great celebration, no matter what country you are in. A day to celebrate freedom. In Sierra Leone this year, there is an additional reason to celebrate: the launching of a free healthcare plan for pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers and children under 5 years of age. A plan that has been thoroughly thought out. Yet also a plan that will take a lot of man power and resources to implement. A plan, that if successful, can save the lives of thousands of mothers and children. This plan can finally decrease the amount of preventable deaths that currently occur all to often. Children dying of pneumonia, malaria and diarrhea because they cannot afford healthcare. Mothers dying in the hospital halls because they cannot pay for a desperately needed Caesarian section. One plan that can change one nation if everyone works together to make this happen. Politicians, donors, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, mothers, fathers, children, village leaders. In unison, with all people working together for the benefit of those in need, this plan can become a success. And in one of the poorest countries in the world with one of the highest child and maternal mortality rates in the world, this is what needs to happen. Let's hope for a smooth roll out. For more information read this article.