By: Aminata Sesay
World Health Organization in partnership with Ministry of Health and key development partners, marked World Health Day 2025 with a renewed and determined pledge to address preventable maternal and child deaths across Sierra Leone on Monday 7th April 2025.
The day was commemorated with a high-level press conference held at the Ministry’s boardroom in the Youyi Building, where officials reflected on the country’s progress and outlined future plans.
This year’s global theme, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” strongly resonated with Sierra Leone’s health priorities. The country’s adopted sub-theme, “Tackling the Public Health Emergency of Preventable Maternal and Child Mortality,” underscored the urgency and commitment with which the government is addressing maternal and child health outcomes.
Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby, used the occasion to highlight significant achievements while acknowledging the journey ahead. In his keynote address, Dr. Demby congratulated the World Health Organization on its 77th anniversary and commended Sierra Leone’s continued collaboration with the agency and other partners to improve health outcomes for women and children.
“This day is not only a moment to celebrate our progress but also a time to reflect on what more needs to be done,” the Minister said. “Sierra Leone has made commendable strides in reducing maternal deaths, but we must remain committed to building a system where no woman dies giving life, and every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive.”
He revealed that the latest estimates from the UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG) show that Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality rate has decreased from 443 to 354 per 100,000 live births between 2020 and 2023. According to the Minister, this reduction is the result of deliberate policies, increased investment, and a sustained focus on maternal and child health. “This is a major step forward and clear evidence that we are on the right path to achieving our 2025 target of fewer than 300 deaths per 100,000 live births,” Dr. Demby affirmed.
He outlined the Government’s multi-faceted strategy, including the operationalization of the Person-Centered Life Stages Approach, a comprehensive model of care that ensures people receive appropriate health services from birth through old age. This approach is already being implemented in Moyamba District, with plans underway for national expansion.
Dr. Demby also introduced a new digital tracking system called Prestack, which is now being used to monitor every pregnancy in Sierra Leone. “This application represents a transformative step toward accountability, ensuring that no woman goes unnoticed and no pregnancy goes unmanaged,” he explained.
Additionally, he highlighted the strengthening of the Incident Management System (IMS) at the national level, which now includes a Situation Room dedicated to monitoring and analyzing maternal and child deaths. “Each death is reviewed, and immediate corrective action is taken,” he said. “This is how we prevent repeat occurrences and save more lives.”
The WHO Representative to Sierra Leone, Dr. George Ameh, commended the government for prioritizing maternal and child health and achieving measurable progress over the years. “Sierra Leone has seen a 78% decline in maternal mortality since 2000, one of the steepest drops in the African region,” Dr. Ameh said. “This achievement must be celebrated, but it must also energize us to do even more.”
He provided sobering global and regional statistics, pointing out that in the WHO African region, 20 mothers and 120 newborns die every hour. Globally, a preventable maternal or child death occurs every seven seconds.
“Behind every statistic is a human life a mother, a baby, a family. And behind every life saved is a system that worked the health worker who acted in time, the transport that was available, the clinic that had the supplies, and the government that made it possible,” Dr. Ameh said.
He urged Sierra Leone to continue expanding emergency obstetric and postnatal care services, especially in hard-to-reach areas. He also called for laws and policies that uphold women’s health rights and eliminate financial and social barriers to care. “Every dollar spent on maternal and newborn health saves lives, strengthens families, and fuels national development,” he emphasized.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sartie M. Kenneh, added that the Ministry’s approach to maternal and child health is proactive and centered on early education and preparation. “We make sure women know what they need to know even before they conceive,” Dr. Kenneh said. “We prepare their minds for the journey of pregnancy and provide the support they need throughout.”
Dr. Kenneh reiterated the importance of the government’s declaration of maternal and child mortality as a public health emergency, a move he said was vital in mobilizing resources and driving national focus. “This emergency declaration is not symbolic. It comes with action, structure, and measurable outcomes,” he said.
He acknowledged the progress made so far but was quick to caution against complacency. “Yes, we are trying, and yes, we are making progress. But we are not satisfied. More needs to be done, and we are making new commitments today.”
The event closed with a strong call for nationwide collaboration. All speakers emphasized that achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 3.1, which targets a maternal mortality ratio of less than 70 per 100,000 live births, will require continued efforts from all sectors government, civil society, health workers, communities, and the international community.
“We all have a role to play,” said Dr. Demby. “From the health worker in the most remote village, to the policymaker in Freetown, to the journalists telling these stories — we must move in one direction, with one goal: saving lives.”
On this World Health Day, Sierra Leone stands united with the world to protect the health of its mothers and children, taking bold steps toward a future where every pregnancy is safe, every birth is celebrated, and every child has a chance to thrive.