By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, June 9, 2026: Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby has announced significant progress in Sierra Leone’s healthcare sector, including a 31 percent reduction in maternal mortality and an 11 percent decline in infant mortality during the first 100 days of the government’s 300 Days of Activism campaign.
Dr. Demby disclosed that approximately 5,000 children previously unvaccinated have now received routine immunizations, representing a 55 percent increase in new childhood vaccinations and cutting the number of zero-dose children nearly in half. He credited the achievements to collaboration among healthcare workers, traditional leaders, communities, and development partners.
The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to achieving zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths, and universal protection against vaccine-preventable diseases, stressing that the next phase of the campaign will intensify community-level action.
Highlighting infrastructure gains, Dr. Demby revealed that 18 of Sierra Leone’s 20 major hospitals are now energy-independent through solar systems installed in partnership with the Ministry of Energy. Connaught Hospital operates on a 1.2-megawatt solar system, while 380 health facilities nationwide have been equipped with solar power. He also announced plans for a 300-bed hospital in Kerry Town, a modern cancer treatment centre, and a large-scale oxygen production facility.
On healthcare reforms, Dr. Demby said Sierra Leone is transitioning to a people-centered Universal Health Coverage agenda, adopting a life-stage approach from pregnancy through old age. He noted investments in primary healthcare, new hospitals in Karene, Pujehun, and Moyamba, advanced medical technologies, and strengthened ambulance services with GPS tracking and oxygen support. Training of doctors has expanded from 30 annually to 250, with plans to reach 300 per year, alongside increased training for nurses and midwives.