Women's Initiative for Safer Health (WISH): The Office of the First Lady of Sierra Leone's framework for achieving MDGs 3-6 through global partnerships and direct services

Until very recently, Sierra Leone ranked 177 out of 177 countries assessed for the 2007 HDI. Maternal mortality has been 1300/100,000 live births and infant mortality ranks at 158/1000 live births --- among the highest in the world. This situation has only just begun to improve in the nation's post-war era. The WISH project is designed to improve women's reproductive health outcomes through a suite of activities, each identifiable as stand-alone initiatives, but coming together to form a framework of support and interventions to enhance the provision of MCH service delivery. The core aim of WISH is to empower women to make healthy decisions in areas of sexual and reproductive health. This presentation will describe the implementation of the WISH Birth Waiting Home and Women's Resource Center in Kpande Kemo and Jong Chiefdoms in Bonthe District, and plans for replicating this work nationally. Information will shared about the key steps and legislation undertaken to include Traditional and Religious Leaders as partners in the effort to develop outreach and an early referral system to encourage women to seek competent care during pregnancy and delivery. Development of partners at the national and global levels will also be described as a collective effort has been pivotal in creating capacity to provide pregnant women timely access to skilled and emergency obstetrical care, as well as access to income generating activities and improved health education.