On 17 March, CRIBS Global convened a Policy Lab in Sierra Leone to explore how point-of-care maternal diagnostics can be sustainably integrated into routine health services. The event followed the launch of CRADLE-B and brought together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and community representatives to address pressing challenges in maternal health.
Collaborative Focus
Participants worked in facilitated groups to examine four critical areas:
- Infrastructure
- Health workforce
- Supply chains
- Policy frameworks
Each group identified barriers, proposed solutions, and developed practical roadmaps for implementation. This collaborative approach fostered cross-learning and ensured that diverse perspectives shaped the outcomes.
Key Insights
One of the most pressing barriers identified was the lack of adequate training for healthcare staff. The health workforce group proposed introducing dedicated training days, with clear roadmaps to design and deliver sessions that build confidence and competence in using new diagnostic technologies.
Impact
The Policy Lab proved to be an insightful and valuable exercise, strengthening cross-sector collaboration and supporting the development of practical, sustainable approaches to improving maternal health outcomes in Sierra Leone.
