AYV News, May 21, 2026
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, has reaffirmed the government’s political commitment to investing in safer childbirth and reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths through the “300 Days of Activism for Triple Zeros” campaign.
Dr. Demby made the statement while participating in high-level engagements on the margins of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79), currently taking place in Geneva, Switzerland.
The campaign, which runs from March 1 to December 2026, focuses on scaling up proven interventions aimed at achieving zero preventable maternal deaths and zero preventable newborn deaths through improved healthcare systems and stronger partnerships.
As Chair of the Global Financing Facility (GFF) Ministerial Network, Dr. Demby emphasized the importance of sustained political leadership and investment in maternal and child healthcare services across developing countries.
During a high-level dialogue hosted by Seed Global Health, the Sierra Leonean Health Minister highlighted the country’s early progress in implementing National Health Compacts and improving coordination among development partners to strengthen healthcare delivery systems.
He noted that Sierra Leone continues to prioritize maternal and newborn health as part of broader healthcare reforms being implemented under President Julius Maada Bio’s Human Capital Development Agenda.
According to Dr. Demby, the government remains focused on expanding access to quality healthcare services, improving health infrastructure, and strengthening partnerships aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality rates nationwide.
The discussions at WHA79 form part of wider global efforts to accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage and improve healthcare outcomes for women and children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
