By: Marian Magdalene Bangura
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, has highlighted significant progress in the country’s healthcare transformation while calling on Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora to actively contribute to building a stronger, more resilient, and healthier nation.
Speaking at the Civic Day London Programme, Dr. Demby reflected on Sierra Leone’s progress from having one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally to achieving substantial improvements through sustained reforms, strategic investments, and people-centred healthcare delivery.
“We have made tremendous progress, but we are not satisfied. Every preventable maternal or child death is one too many, and that is why we are accelerating our efforts,” the Minister said.
Dr. Demby recalled that Sierra Leone once recorded approximately 1,600 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, among the highest in the world. Through targeted investments in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, and community health systems, the country has reduced maternal mortality by more than 76 percent, marking a major public health milestone.
A key driver of this improvement is the 300 Days of Activism Campaign, launched by President Dr. Julius Maada Bio on 1 March 2026, with the goal of achieving zero preventable maternal and child deaths in Sierra Leone.
According to the Minister, the first 100 days of the campaign have already produced encouraging results.
“We have recorded a 31 percent reduction in maternal deaths and an 11 percent decline in infant mortality. We also identified approximately 9,000 children who had never received routine vaccinations. During the first 100 days, more than 5,000 of these children were reached and fully vaccinated,” Dr. Demby disclosed.
He described these results as clear evidence that focused interventions, strong leadership, and community participation can deliver measurable improvements in public health outcomes.
Dr. Demby explained that Sierra Leone’s healthcare transformation is anchored on four strategic pillars aimed at building a resilient, accessible, and responsive health system.
The first pillar focuses on improving access to quality healthcare at the community level through upgraded infrastructure, increased staffing, preventive health programmes, and modern equipment.
He noted that more than 380 health facilities across the country are now powered by solar energy, ensuring reliable service delivery even in remote areas.
The second pillar focuses on improving referral systems through an expanded ambulance network supported by the national 117 emergency service.
“Health workers anywhere in Sierra Leone can call 117 to dispatch a GPS-enabled ambulance equipped with oxygen, life-support systems, and trained personnel to safely transport critically ill patients,” he explained.
The third pillar involves major investments in hospital construction and modernization.
Dr. Demby announced the ongoing construction of three new 100-bed hospitals in Pujehun, Moyamba, and Karene, all expected to be completed by the end of the year. He also highlighted plans for a state-of-the-art 300-bed hospital in Kerry Town, alongside the expansion of specialized maternal and paediatric services.
The fourth pillar focuses on enhancing disease surveillance and emergency preparedness, informed by lessons from outbreaks such as Ebola and COVID-19.
He noted that Sierra Leone has strengthened its disease surveillance system by deploying trained epidemiologists and surveillance officers nationwide to detect and respond quickly to public health threats.
Dr. Demby also emphasized investments in human capital, noting that the number of medical graduates entering the health workforce has increased significantly alongside the expansion of healthcare facilities.
He further highlighted the use of real-time digital health systems to monitor health outcomes, track maternal deaths, and support evidence-based decision-making.
“Our health system is becoming more connected, responsive, and accountable through digital innovation,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, the Minister urged Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora to see national development as a shared responsibility.
“The future of Sierra Leone cannot be built by the government alone. Our brothers and sisters in the diaspora possess valuable knowledge, skills, and networks that can help accelerate national development,” he said.
He encouraged diaspora professionals, investors, and development partners to contribute their expertise and resources to the country’s ongoing transformation.
“Building a stronger Sierra Leone requires all of us those at home and those abroad working together with a shared vision and commitment.”
The Civic Day London Programme provided a platform for dialogue between government officials and Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, citizen engagement, and continued improvement in the health sector.