By Sallieu S Kanu
Kabala, Sierra Leone – August 14, 2026: The Koinadugu District Council has convened an emergency stakeholders’ meeting following public concern over maternal deaths reported at Kabala Government Hospital, where six cases have been recorded since January 2026.
The hospital authorities confirmed the deaths, extended condolences to affected families, and explained that some complicated cases required referral due to shortages of specialized personnel, equipment, and medical supplies. They pledged continued efforts to improve service delivery.
The meeting, chaired by District Council Chairman Lawrence Teteh Kargbo, brought together Paramount Chiefs, hospital management, health authorities, and community representatives to deliberate on the issue and chart a way forward.
The reported deaths have sparked serious debate across Kabala and surrounding communities, with concerns raised in radio programs, marketplaces, Ataya bases, and other public forums. Residents have questioned the quality, responsiveness, and availability of emergency maternal healthcare services, particularly during Caesarean-section procedures.
Community members are demanding transparent information on whether challenges such as medical equipment shortages, staffing levels, referral delays, blood supply, and theatre readiness contributed to the deaths.
Some residents have expressed declining confidence in the local health system, with reports of families seeking care outside the district for complicated pregnancies. Stakeholders emphasized that while women are encouraged to deliver in health facilities, hospital services must be continuously strengthened to ensure safety, trust, and timely emergency response.
The Council stressed the need for an impartial, evidence-based review involving the Ministry of Health, the District Health Management Team, hospital authorities, and civil society. Sierra Leone’s Maternal Death Surveillance and Response framework will be utilized to investigate the cases, identify systemic gaps, and recommend urgent interventions.
National Context
The developments in Koinadugu come at a time when Sierra Leone has made significant progress in reducing maternal mortality nationwide. According to the Ministry of Health, maternal deaths have dropped by 30 percent in 2026, a milestone attributed to the government’s 300 Days of Activism campaign, expanded oxygen supply, improved emergency obstetric care, and strengthened referral systems.
Health officials emphasized that while national strides are commendable, localized challenges such as those reported in Kabala highlight the need for continuous vigilance, investment, and accountability to sustain progress toward the country’s Triple Zero goals:
- Zero Preventable Maternal Deaths
- Zero Preventable Child Deaths
- Zero Dose Children