By: Mohamed Sahr
In a bid to strengthen the neonatal health system and enhance Special Care Baby Units (SCBUs), the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF and JICA, commemorated World Prematurity Day and launched the National Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Guidelines. The event, held on Wednesday, 26th November 2025, took place at the Julius Maada Bio Paediatric Centre of Excellence in Freetown. Additionally, 100 resilient oxygen concentrators were handed over to support newborn care across the country.
Dr. Mustapha Kabba, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (Clinical), highlighted that the theme, “Give preterm babies a strong start for a brighter future,” reflects both an urgent clinical challenge and a hopeful promise. Globally, over 13 million babies are born preterm each year, and more than two million newborns die in the first month of life, many from predictable and largely preventable complications.
In Sierra Leone, neonatal mortality remains high, at approximately 24 deaths per 1,000 live births, while the under-five mortality rate is around 94 per 1,000 live births. A large proportion of these deaths occur in the first 28 days, driven by prematurity, birth complications, and infections.
Dr. Kabba emphasized that progress has been made in recent years. Special Care Baby Units have been established in multiple hospitals, stabilizing and treating nearly 8,000 newborns. Reliable infrastructure, such as continuous power and oxygen supply, is critical for saving lives, alongside clinical expertise. National electrification efforts, solar power, and battery systems now provide consistent electricity for incubators, warming devices, and respiratory equipment, while multiple medical oxygen plants and concentrators ensure oxygen therapy is accessible and dependable.
Human-centered care remains essential. Kangaroo Mother Care, which involves skin-to-skin contact and support for early breastfeeding, reduces newborn mortality, prevents hypothermia, and strengthens bonding. Sierra Leone is scaling KMC across facilities and communities, with its benefits visible in the experiences of families and healthcare workers.
During the event, the Ministry officially launched the National Kangaroo Mother Care Guidelines and the Maternal and Child Health Handbook. These practical, evidence-based tools aim to standardize care and provide families and health workers with clear guidance on pregnancy, delivery, and newborn care.
Dr. Kabba urged government colleagues, development partners, civil society, community leaders, and healthcare providers to take concrete actions including
government prioritizing maternal and newborn health in budgets and planning, ensure every district hospital has a functioning SCBU, reliable power, and oxygen, and strengthen referral networks. Development partners which align investments with national plans, support training, sustainable infrastructure, and data systems.
Civil Society and communities promote safe pregnancy, early facility care, KMC, breastfeeding, and reduce stigma around prematurity. Healthcare providers apply KMC guidelines, use oxygen correctly, monitor babies closely, and maintain accurate records.
Liv Elin Indreiten, UNICEF Deputy Country Representative, reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to ensuring every child receives a strong start in life. She emphasized that newborn deaths, particularly in the first month, are largely preventable through cost-effective interventions like KMC. The handover of 100 resilient oxygen concentrators and essential newborn supplies will strengthen care in SCBUs, pediatric wards, and primary health facilities across Sierra Leone.
UNICEF continues to advance newborn survival by training neonatal nurses, expanding KMC services across all 17 SCBUs, solarizing facilities, and providing free health commodities for fragile babies.
Yonebayashi, Resident Representative of JICA, highlighted Japan’s long-term support for Sierra Leone’s maternal and child health programs, including the donation of 152,000 Maternal and Child Health Handbooks in the Western Area. These handbooks serve as practical guides for mothers, families, and health workers, promoting shared responsibility for healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries. JICA’s technical assistance complements the donations, ensuring effective use and capacity building for healthcare staff.
Mothers shared personal testimonies of caring for premature babies, illustrating the life-saving impact of the Ministry’s and partners’ support. One mother recounted losing her job while caring for her preterm baby but noted that, with appropriate care and support, her baby is now thriving.
The event emphasized that every preterm baby deserves a strong start to survive and thrive. With evidence-based tools, reliable infrastructure, and committed partnerships, Sierra Leone is making significant strides in reducing preventable newborn deaths. Dr. Kabba concluded:
“When solar panels keep incubators running, when oxygen concentrators stabilize struggling infants, and when mothers hold their babies skin-to-skin, lives are saved and futures are shaped. Let us turn today’s launches into action, ensuring a brighter future for every preterm baby in Sierra Leone.”
