By: Saidu Jalloh
The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Health, has procured US$2.5 million worth of essential Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) drugs and medical commodities to strengthen maternal and child healthcare nationwide.
The consignment was unveiled on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA) stores in Freetown. It includes life-saving medicines and medical supplies used during Caesarean sections, normal deliveries and other health emergencies.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Hinga Demby, PhD, MPH, described the procurement as a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to protecting critical health services for women, children and families across the country.
“This investment demonstrates Government’s continued commitment to protecting critical health services for women, children and families across Sierra Leone. These are the medicines that make all the difference when a mother is in labour, when a child is sick, or when there is a health emergency,” he said.
Minister Demby disclosed that the commodities are currently at NMSA and will be distributed to hospitals, community health centres and Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) across all 16 districts in the coming weeks.
The procurement comes as Sierra Leone continues its 300DaysOfActivism for Triple Zeros campaign, which seeks to achieve zero maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning and zero gender-based violence.
According to Ministry of Health data, major causes of maternal and child deaths in Sierra Leone include high blood pressure, malaria, postpartum haemorrhage and sepsis or other infections.
Minister Demby said the newly procured commodities were specifically selected to address these challenges. The supplies include antibiotics, uterotonics, antihypertensive medicines, malaria treatments and other essential reproductive health commodities.
“This is a tailored response to what is killing our mothers and children. By putting the right drugs in the right places at the right time, we can save thousands of lives,” he assured.
To prevent the diversion of supplies and stock-outs at health facilities, the Ministry has introduced a tracking system to monitor the movement of commodities from NMSA warehouses to health facilities.
Dr. Demby stressed that accountability would be central to ensuring that the supplies reach their intended beneficiaries.
“We will track every item from the warehouse to the ward. This is public money and public health, and we owe it to the people of Sierra Leone to ensure transparency,” he added.
The US$2.5 million procurement forms part of broader Government efforts to strengthen the country’s health system and reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
The availability of essential SRHR commodities is considered critical to improving access to quality healthcare, advancing Universal Health Coverage and supporting Sierra Leone’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
With the supplies now in the country and ready for distribution, health facilities nationwide are expected to receive the commodities before the end of the third quarter of 2026.