By Ibrahim S, Bangura
Freetown, August 25, 2026: At Day 178 of Sierra Leone’s 300 Days of Activism campaign, Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby has unveiled real‑time data showing remarkable progress toward the country’s ambitious Triple Zero targets: zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths, and zero zero‑dose children.
According to the figures, maternal mortality has dropped by 32.9 percent compared with the same period last year, while child mortality has declined by 12.4 percent. Of an estimated 9,006 zero‑dose children nationwide, 8,347 (92.6 percent) have now been identified and vaccinated.
Dr. Demby, in a Facebook post, described the achievement as “a demonstration of what is possible when a nation comes together for a common purpose.” He added: “This progress reflects our vision for a health system that leaves no one behind.”
The Minister showcased the results alongside Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, underscoring Sierra Leone’s partnership with global health actors in tackling preventable maternal and child deaths.
National Efforts Against Maternal and Child Mortality
Sierra Leone’s progress under the campaign builds on long‑term national strategies:
- Maternal mortality reduction: From 1,682 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 443 deaths per 100,000 in 2020, representing a 74 percent decline.
- Child mortality reduction: Under‑5 deaths fell from 225 per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 101 per 1,000 in 2022, a 55 percent decline.
- Free healthcare initiative: Since 2010, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children under five have received free medical care.
- Emergency response systems: Expanded ambulance services linked to the national 117 hotline.
- Quality of Care Programme: Launched in 2018 to halve maternal and newborn deaths in targeted hospitals.
- Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR): Adopted nationally in 2025 to investigate every maternal and child death and implement corrective measures.
International Recognition
Global partners, including Gavi and the World Health Organization, have commended Sierra Leone’s progress, noting that the campaign demonstrates how coordinated national action can deliver measurable results even in resource‑constrained settings.