By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu, Bo City
The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Bo District Health Management Team (DHMT), officially launched the 300 Days of Activism campaign on Monday, 2 March 2026. The initiative reinforces the country’s commitment to eliminating preventable maternal and child deaths and ensuring that every child receives essential vaccinations.
The launch ceremony was held at the Regional Referral Government Hospital in Bo and brought together health professionals, local authorities, and civil society representatives. Participants pledged their support for the campaign and emphasised the importance of collaboration with lactating mothers and community members to achieve the government’s health targets.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Amara Stevens Ngegbai, Bo District Medical Officer, reaffirmed the government’s determination to mobilise the resources needed to drive the nationwide campaign. He explained that the 300 Days of Activism initiative follows President Julius Maada Bio’s declaration at the 39th African Union Summit, where member states reviewed progress in reducing maternal and child mortality.
Dr. Ngegbai highlighted Sierra Leone’s recent achievements, noting a reported 76 percent reduction in maternal deaths and a 30 percent reduction in child deaths in recent years. Despite this progress, he cautioned that the country’s maternal mortality rate currently estimated at 346 per 100,000 live births remains high by global standards.
He attributed the improvements to sustained government investment in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.
“The President expects all citizens to take this issue seriously over the next 300 days,” Dr. Ngegbai said, “so that we can collectively achieve zero preventable maternal and child deaths and ensure that every child is immunised.”
Also speaking at the event, Madam Seibatu Musa, Matron of Bo Government Hospital, expressed confidence that the campaign would help save countless lives. Lactating mothers present at the ceremony echoed this optimism, stressing the need for sustained community engagement and public awareness to further reduce maternal and child mortality.
The 300 Days of Activism campaign seeks not only to improve health outcomes but also to strengthen collaboration among healthcare professionals, local leaders, and families, ensuring that maternal and child health remains a national development priority across Sierra Leone.
