MJSTEM

Abstract

The Free Healthcare Initiative (FHCI) is one of the strategies that were established by the Government of Sierra Leone in 2010 aimed at eradicating financial barriers to healthcare access among pregnant women, lactating mothers and children below five years old. The FHCI has resulted in increased use of maternal and child healthcare services and health outcome improvement. However, healthcare inequities have remained largely unchanged and these include quality of healthcare service provision, availability of drugs, health infrastructure and availability of skilled health workers. The objective of this seminar paper is to analyze the impact of the Free Healthcare Initiative on addressing healthcare inequalities in Bo City, Sierra Leone. The study aims at analyzing how far this initiative has helped in making the healthcare facilities more accessible, understanding the difficulties that have hindered the fair delivery of healthcare, and suggesting measures that can be taken to implement the programme effectively. These issues exist in Bo city and socioeconomic background, geographical location, level of education and health system challenges continue to influence access to healthcare services in the city. In this seminar paper, an analysis of the contribution made by FHCI in addressing health care inequalities in Bo City will be done along with the issues that affect health equity. Qualitative desk review approach will be utilized with reference to recently published peer-reviewed journals, government reports and international organization publications. It will be found out that although the FHCI has greatly enhanced health care utilization, healthcare inequalities exist owing to poor financing, constant stock outs of important drugs, human resource issues and socio-economic challenges.

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