CISMAT-SL
Member profile
Civil Society Movement Against Tuberculosis-Sierra Leone (CISMAT-SL) is a coalition of diverse groups ranging from community-based to faith-based organisations working on the promotion of civil society involvement in TB issues with the bid to re-invigorate advocacy efforts for the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of TB. CISMAT-SL was formed as a result of the exclusion by the national government of the civil society from the development of policies and programmes aimed at TB patients.
Main activities
CISMAT-SL has the following objectives:
- to improve referral systems, which are currently dysfunctional due to a lack of adequate networks between health facilities and shortages of transportation vehicles to carry patients
- to enhance monitoring systems and develop functional as well as accountable institutions
- to provide the public with the necessary health information by all means, including nationwide media and education campaigns
- to secure the right to health of the national population
- to advocate for increased government, donors, and other stakeholders commitment to and investment in TB and HIV/AIDS, maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity in Sierra Leone
Links to the health workforce crisis
CISMAT-SL has been engaging government, including policy makers, in the promotion of health work force in Sierra Leone through seminars, symposium and national consultative meetings processes. These activities have always taken into consideration the health care system of the country, which is characterized by poor infrastructure, lack of appropriately qualified healthcare workers and insufficient supplies of drugs, consumables and equipment that are related to TB. These problems are further exacerbated by poor co-ordination, management and over sight of the healthcare system.
