By Alusine Sesay
Freetown, June 8, 2026: The Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH), Sierra Leone’s largest maternal facility, has reported a 22% reduction in maternal deaths, dropping from 84 cases in 2024 to 64 in 2025.
The findings were presented today at the New Brookfields Hotel during the launch of the hospital’s 2025 Annual Maternal Care Report, organized in partnership with Doctors with Africa CUAMM and the Ministry of Health. The event brought together government officials, development partners, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to review progress and chart strategies for further improvements in maternal and newborn care.
Key Achievements
The report highlighted:
- Expanded presence of specialist doctors providing critical care, mentorship, and training.
- Strengthened maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
- Ongoing quality improvement initiatives and service utilization trends.
Challenges in infrastructure and service delivery require urgent attention.
The hospital’s progress aligns with Sierra Leone’s 300 Days of Activism campaign, which aims to achieve zero preventable maternal and newborn deaths by 2026.
Representing the Minister of Health, Deputy Minister I Prof. Charles Senesie reaffirmed government’s dedication to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and workforce development.
“As I speak today, we have teams on the ground assessing facilities and resources. This will guide our efforts to address gaps and strengthen service delivery nationwide,” he said.
Prof. Senesie noted ongoing investments in water supply systems, waste management, operating theatres, diagnostic services, and other essentials. He also emphasized plans to expand space, improve transportation for healthcare workers, and introduce sustainable solar energy solutions to eliminate power outages.
While acknowledging challenges, the Deputy Minister commended healthcare workers for their resilience and assured them of continued support.
“There are challenges, but we are committed to working together. Through collaboration, innovation, and sustained investment, we will continue to improve healthcare services and achieve better outcomes for all Sierra Leoneans,” he stated.
The presentation of the 2025 Annual Maternal Care Report reaffirmed the commitment of PCMH, CUAMM, and the Ministry of Health to advancing maternal and newborn healthcare, strengthening systems, and reducing preventable deaths across Sierra Leone.