The Paediatric Association of Sierra Leone (PASL) successfully held its First Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGSM) on 30 May 2025 under the impactful theme:
“Breaking the Cycle: Ending Childhood Malnutrition in Sierra Leone.”

The conference brought together healthcare professionals, nutritionists, policymakers, development partners, and child-health advocates to address one of the most urgent challenges affecting children nationwide malnutrition.

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Key Discussions and Focus Areas

Deliberations centred on practical, evidence-based strategies to improve child nutrition across the continuum of care, including:

  • Antenatal and maternal health interventions

  • Promotion of exclusive breastfeeding

  • Community-based nutrition programmes

  • Hospital management of severe acute malnutrition

Speakers emphasised the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration, data-driven policy making, and long-term investment in maternal and child health systems to achieve sustainable impact.

Major Highlights

A significant milestone of the day was the official launch of Sierra Leone’s 11 Commitments for Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) and Nutrition Improvement Measures (NIMs) by His Excellency the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh. This reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to accelerating national efforts to end childhood malnutrition.

Speakers emphasised the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration
Speakers emphasised the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration

Recognition and Honour

In recognition of their outstanding national and global contributions to child health, Honorary Membership of PASL was conferred upon:

  • His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone

  • Dr. Austin Demby, Honourable Minister of Health

During the conference, PASL also:

  • Launched its Five-Year Strategic Plan
  • Released its First Newsletter
  • Adopted the “Moawharf Community” as a pilot initiative to strengthening child care services and promote health equity
Paediatric Association Sierra Leone

A Collective Call to Action

The meeting served not only as a platform for knowledge exchange but also as a unified call to action. Participants renewed their commitment to tackling the root causes of malnutrition and strengthening systems that support the health, growth, and development of every child in Sierra Leone.

First PASL Annual General & Scientific Meeting – May 2025
First PASL Annual General & Scientific Meeting – May 2025

Acknowledgements

PASL extended sincere appreciation to all individuals and organisations whose support contributed to the success of the conference, including:

  • His Excellency the Vice President – Keynote Speaker

  • Madam Manty B. Tarawalli – Minister of State, Office of the Vice President

  • Prof. Charles Senessie – Acting Minister of Health

  • Madam Aminata Shamit Koroma – Director of Food and Nutrition

  • Dr. Lynda Farma-Grant – Distinguished Chairperson

  • UNICEF, RCPCH, CHAMPS, SLCB

  • PASL’s sister associations and development partners

  • All attendees and contributors

Together, PASL and its partners continue to work towards breaking the cycle of malnutrition and securing a healthier future for Sierra Leone’s children.