November 24, 2017 By Joseph S. Margai
Africell’s Eku Lake and MSSL Country Director Omo-Obi signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Marie Stopes Sierra Leone (MSSL), in partnership with Africell, has yesterday, in its conference hall on Ahmed Drive in Aberdeen, Freetown, unveiled a 3535-direct toll-free call service and its website, so as to enhance easy access to sexual reproductive health in Sierra Leone.
MSSL’s Country Director, Dr. Ufuoma Omo-Obi, said Africell has provided a 100% client care toll-free line for Sierra Leoneans to receive sexual reproductive health information, education and services as part of her corporate social responsibility.
“This is first of its kind website in Sierra Leone not only providing information about our operations, services, products but focuses on creating a platform to serve and reach women, adolescent girls and their families creatively, innovatively, respecting their space, time and needs that is so unique, distinct, special and personal,” Dr. Ufuoma Omo-Obi said.
He said an online booking/appointment service through which clients can determine their preferred (an https://mariestopes.org.sl/book-an-appointment/) means to be contacted and access service on their own and agreed-upon time of their choice, adding that it also encompasses a call-back request service from our team.
“This will enable MSSL to serve her clients better, meet duty of care obligations and provide post service uptake, complications management and follow-up support to Africell subscribers. This is an exceptional, commendable customer and support service Africell is offering to their customers,” he said.
Arthur Eku Lake, Communications Manager, said the 3535 toll line will help MSSL in its laudable effort to continue to provide health care to women and girls in Sierra Leone. He added that MSSL stands tall as the largest family planning organization in the country and Africell shares the notion with MSSL that having children should be a choice and not by chance.
“In 2016, 101,220 unintended pregnancies and 59,510 unsafe abortions were prevented by MSSL and it is a commendable effort. However, this does not tell the full story as we are still losing women and girls to child birth and unsafe abortions. More should be done as our country has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world,” he said.