Concord Times (Freetown)
Alhaji Jalloh
19 November 2008
President Koroma has told the visiting Emir of Shonga, Nigeria Dr Haliru Yahaya that his government was working towards a national health insurance scheme which would be launched by next year.
He added that Sierra Leone and Nigeria have much in common to share and benefit from, while thanking the Emir for his support and for adding his voice to the First Lady's forum. He also commended UNFPA for their full support over the years.
The President was pleased to receive the Emir, especially when he was in the country to share his knowledge and experience on how to address the fatal issue of maternal mortality, which "is very high in Sierra Leone" and responsible for the country's low ranking in the human development index.
The Emir is in Sierra Leone on the joint invitation of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the First Lady for yesterday's launching of the Consultative Forum of Traditional and Religious Leaders on Maternal Mortality Reduction in Sierra Leone.
According to the Country Director of UNFPA, Barnabas Yissa (who accompanied the Emir), Dr Yahaya as the Emir of Shonga is the leader of over 15 million people, has been a medical doctor since 1974 and has been working on the advancement of maternal mortality reforms. He said the Emir has called for free health services and the eradication of polio in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Dr Yahaya first congratulated President Koroma for his victory in the last general elections and for his leadership role, vision, and good governance. He commended the President for supporting the First Lady's initiative, and asked the President to call on him at anytime to tap his experience and knowledge on the issue.
The Emir promised to come to Sierra Leone again.
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