In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and other well-meaning non-governmental organizations, World Vision Sierra Leone has championed and will launch the 'Child Health Now' campaign today June 14 at the Miatta Conference Hall in Freetown.

Operations Director of World Vision SL, Paul Massaquoi, said the principal value of the 'Child Health Now' campaign is to upgrade the standard of children living in most deprived communities across the country, citing that the Ministry of Health and Sanitation will help identify urgent areas where the campaign would be introduced.

He added that children need to be well cared for and protected from all forms of illnesses in the country. He applauded the government for its effort at introducing the free health care initiative which he said has enormously contributed to the reduction in infant mortality rate in the country.

National Coordinator of the 'Child Health Now' campaign, Jeremiah Sawyer, said the programme will be a concerted effort of different NGOs with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation as the head for identifying operational areas.

"Sierra Leone is lagging behind especially in MDG 4 to improve on 'child health' whilst some progress is being made for the attainment of MDG 5 on 'maternal health' by 2015," Jeremiah noted, adding that to achieve MDGs 4 and 5, there is a need to work together at all levels.

Communications Manager at World Vision SL, Jonathan Bundu, commended the organization for its efforts in the past sixteen years and the indelible imprint of its service to the children of Sierra Leone.

World Vision is an international Christian humanitarian organisation that is dedicated to helping children, family and their communities.