AYV News, June 11, 2026
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, has announced significant progress in maternal and child healthcare following the first 100 days of the Government’s ongoing 300 Days of Activism campaign.
Speaking on the campaign’s achievements, Dr. Dembydisclosed that maternal mortality has declined by 31 percent, while infant mortality has reduced by 11 percent nationwide.
The Minister further revealed that approximately 5,000 children who had never received routine vaccinations have now been identified and immunized. According to him, this represents a 55 percent increase in new childhood vaccinations and has reduced the number of zero-dose children by nearly half.
Dr. Demby attributed these gains to the collective efforts of healthcare workers, traditional leaders, local authorities, communities, development partners, mothers, and families across the country.
He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to achieving three key objectives under the campaign: zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths, and universal protection of children against vaccine-preventable diseases.
While acknowledging the progress made, the Minister emphasized that much work remains to be done. He noted that the next phase of the campaign will focus on intensified community-level interventions to ensure that every mother and child has access to essential healthcare services.
Dr. Demby called on citizens, community leaders, civil society organizations, journalists, and development partners to continue supporting the initiative in order to achieve its ambitious targets.
The Minister also highlighted major investments being made in healthcare infrastructure to improve service delivery across Sierra Leone.
He disclosed that 18 of the country’s 20 major hospitals are now energy-independent through solar power systems developed in partnership with the Ministry of Energy. Connaught Hospital currently operates on a 1.2-megawatt solar energy system, while approximately 380 healthcare facilities nationwide have been equipped with solar installations.
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, Dr. Demby announced plans for the construction of a 300-bed hospital in Kerry Town, a modern cancer diagnosis and treatment centre, and a large-scale oxygen production facility to enhance healthcare services in the Western Area.
Speaking on broader healthcare reforms, the Minister stated that Sierra Leone is transitioning from a disease-centered model to a people-centered healthcare system under its Universal Health Coverage agenda.
He explained that the new approach adopts a life-stage healthcare model, providing support from pregnancy and infancy through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age.
According to Dr. Demby, substantial investments are also being made in primary healthcare through the construction and rehabilitation of health facilities, recruitment of healthcare personnel, and improvements in the supply of medicines and medical equipment.
To strengthen secondary healthcare services, the Government is constructing new 100-bed hospitals in Karene, Pujehun, and Moyamba districts.
The Minister further highlighted investments in advanced medical technologies, including CT scanners, dialysis machines, and ultrasound equipment to improve diagnosis and treatment capabilities across the health sector.
On emergency healthcare services, Dr. Dembydisclosed that the national ambulance system has been strengthened with GPS tracking technology, oxygen support systems, and trained personnel, enhancing response capacity through the 117 emergency service.
Addressing human resource development, the Minister revealed that the annual number of doctors being trained has increased significantly from about 30 to approximately 250, with plans to further raise the figure to 300 annually. Similar investments, he noted, are being made in the training of nurses and midwives to address workforce needs and improve healthcare outcomes nationwide.
Dr. Demby described the progress recorded so far as encouraging and reaffirmed the Government’s determination to build a stronger, more resilient healthcare system capable of delivering quality services to all Sierra Leoneans.
