Health
DOH is involved in the following Health-related areas:
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Vitamin Supplements: Many families in Sierra Leone simply cannot afford to provide 3 complete and balanced meals. Consequently, many children go to school hungry and learn with empty stomachs. It is undisputed that children learn and grow better when appropriately fed and nourished. With this in mind, DOH is helping to alleviate hunger and help children to focus in school by providing meals and nutritional supplements. This support complements the education scholarship program.
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Nutritional Feeding Program: DOH is also involved in a feeding program where children are provided with quality, nourishing and well-balanced meals. One of the problems contributing to the child mortality rate in Sierra Leone is mal-nourishment. Children often eat diets that are not nutritiously balanced and their bodies and immune systems are ill-prepared to handle even the smallest sicknesses. Given a nutritionally balanced foundation, they would be more resistant to sickness and disease and pay better attention in school. Additionally many homes eat only one or two meals a day. DOH is helping to alleviate poverty by periodically providing meals to starving children. The children are taught that health is a priority and they should take good care of their bodies.
- Mosquito Net Distribution: DOH is working to save lives by providing Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) that help to prevent the killer disease of malaria. Malaria is still a killer disease in Africa that claims the lives of many thousands yearly. Malaria can be easily prevented by limiting one’s exposure to mosquitoes and mosquito bites. The primary point of attack by mosquitoes is during the night, when people are asleep. It has been proved that the provision and use of insecticide-treated nets significantly reduces the chances of contracting malaria. Many homes do not have these nets and DOH is working to ensure that this simple, inexpensive and life-changing protection is provided to all.
