The United Nations Joint Medical Services (UNJMS) hosted a one day Health Fair on 7 June 2013 with the theme “Spring to Health with UNJMS”. The objective of the fair was to promote good health by increasing health awareness among UN staff and their dependants as planned after debriefing of RPM 47 recommendations to involve the UN Country Team (UNCT).
Different UN agencies, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) and other public and private health sector institutions provided free medical screening for common illnesses/diseases as well as health education activities, counseling and demonstrations. Health information materials were also freely handed out. WHO and MoHS operated a joint booth to provide information on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and nutrition during the fair.
The formal opening of the event was graced by the Executive Representative of the UN Secretary General Mr Jens Anders Toyberg-Frandzen, UNCT members, the Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Mr Foday Sawi and other partners. Mr Toyberg-Frandzen commended WHO for initiating the idea of a joint UN health fair.

Other speakers talked on the importance of regular health checks and encouraged the participants to use the event as an opportunity to know about their health status while also learning about other health issues. A brief overview of noncommunicable diseases towards AFRO resolution on NCDs was delivered by Dr Teniin Gakuruh, Officer in Charge of WHO Country Office.

The Chief Medical Office of UNJMS Dr. Samson Mathiu informed the gathering that UNJMS is a pioneer initiative that was not tried before in the UN system, noting that it is now a UN model that is being replicated in other countries. The UNJMS is a level one medical facility that provides medical and healthcare services to UN staff members and their dependents in Sierra Leone. It also provides emergency services to the diplomatic community in the country. The facility has enhanced laboratory capabilities, 24 hours emergency response services, qualified medical team and equipment. It is administered by the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Mission in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) with contributions from UNCT member agencies. Plans are however underway to transit its management to UNDP when the mandate of UNIPSIL ends on 31 March 2014.

United Nations Family in Sierra Leone Holds Joint Health Fair Day

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