{"id":691,"date":"2026-03-31T16:48:59","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T16:48:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thearchealth.org\/?post_type=news&p=691"},"modified":"2026-03-31T17:17:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T17:17:01","slug":"champs-10th-advisory-committee-meeting-champs-data-drives-urgent-health-policy-action-in-sierra-leone","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.thearchealth.org\/index.php\/news\/champs-10th-advisory-committee-meeting-champs-data-drives-urgent-health-policy-action-in-sierra-leone\/","title":{"rendered":"CHAMPS 10th Advisory Committee Meeting: CHAMPS Data Drives Urgent Health Policy Action in Sierra Leone."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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70% of Child Deaths Preventable, 77% of deaths Misdiagnosed, 35% Linked to Malnutrition: CHAMPS Data Drives Urgent Health Policy Action in Sierra Leone<\/strong>.<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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New evidence from the CHAMPS program in Sierra Leone shows that 70% of child deaths in Sierra Leone could be prevented, while 77% of deaths were misdiagnosed in clinical settings, highlighting urgent gaps in the country\u2019s health system and the need for data-driven policy reforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These findings were presented at the 10th CHAMPS Advisory Committee Meeting, held in Makeni under the theme \u201cBeyond Data: Confronting the Hidden Epidemics in our Health System.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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From Data to Action: A Turning Point for Health Policy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2018, CHAMPS has generated high-quality, laboratory-confirmed evidence on the causes of death among children, mothers, and communities in Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Charles Senessie, Deputy Minister of Health 1, emphasized the importance of this evidence in shaping national decisions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe findings generated by CHAMPS must inform policies, strengthen clinical guidelines, improve service delivery, and guide investments in our health system.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He challenged the gathering of health experts: \u201cLet us ensure that the evidence generated over the past years leads to meaningful improvements in maternal and child health outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHAMPS data now shows that only 3% of deaths are clearly not preventable, while 70% are preventable and 21% could be prevented under improved conditions, underscoring a major opportunity for system-wide improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hidden Epidemics Revealed by CHAMPS Data<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CHAMPS surveillance system has uncovered four major \u201chidden epidemics\u201d driving preventable deaths:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Malnutrition: A Leading Underlying Cause (35%)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHAMPS data reveals that 35% of under-five deaths were linked to malnutrition, making it one of the most critical drivers of mortality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encouragingly, community interventions are already showing impact. A CHAMPS-led food demonstration program recorded a rapid improvement in child nutrition, with normal nutrition status rising to 84% within weeks. This improvement was especially important, as the food demonstration utilized ONLY local-available food ingredients instead of imported foods (RUTF or Plumpy\u2019Nuts).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The MOH Chief Nutritionist, Mrs. Millicent Allie, highlighted the importance of community action, while one CHAMPS participant shared:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026For months, my daughter was dangerously underweight and often ill with fever and diarrhea. I relied on imported cornmeal, not knowing how to nourish her better. Through CHAMPS, she gained weight and strength. I now prepare wholesome local meals: beans, fish, cassava, groundnuts and my child is healthy, active, and thriving\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. HIV: A Silent but Significant Threat (21% of deaths were due to HIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among adult deaths studied, CHAMPS found 21% were attributable to HIV\/AIDS, with many unaware of their status before death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Francis K. Tamba of the National HIV\/AIDS Control Program warned: \u201cEvery new positive case we detect is a potential time bomb if we do not act decisively.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Malaria and Anemia: Major Killers of Children<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHAMPS findings show malaria contributes significantly to child deaths, with malaria found as the underlying cause of death in 41% child deaths in the sample studied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, anemia was found to be the immediate cause in 48% of related deaths, pointing to gaps in timely treatment and access to care. Similarly, among the 41% of malaria deaths, 88% of them finally succumbed to anemia as the immediate cause of death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The committee noted that blood donation remains crucial and achievable; at the same time the focus needs to shift to environmental sanitation. This is evident in the success recorded in the malaria eradication efforts in other countries<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): A Growing Crisis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laboratory data revealed alarming resistance patterns, showing that in the isolates from child deaths in Sierra Leone:<\/p>\n\n\n\n