By Alusine Sesay
Sierra Leone has renewed its call for sustained international support to deepen gains made under the government’s ambitious Triple Zero Campaign, a national initiative aimed at achieving zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths, and zero-dose children.
Speaking at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, said there could be no better time to strengthen support for mothers and children in Sierra Leone, emphasizing that the country has reached a critical point in its healthcare transformation.
“There couldn’t be a better time to change the narrative for mothers and babies in Sierra Leone than now,” Dr. Demby declared as he appealed to global partners to sustain investments and political support for the campaign.
The Health Minister noted that while Sierra Leone has made significant progress, long-term success will depend on sustainable financing, continued political commitment, and stronger accountability systems across the health sector.
Representing President Dr. Julius Maada Bio at the high-level engagement, Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to the Triple Zero agenda, describing it as one of the country’s foremost national priorities.
Dr. Sengeh highlighted the administration’s commitment to leveraging technology and real-time data to improve healthcare delivery, noting that data-driven interventions are already helping to save the lives of mothers, newborns, and children in communities nationwide.
More than 200 days into Sierra Leone’s 300 Days of Activism Campaign, the country has recorded encouraging results. According to government figures presented at the event, maternal deaths have declined by 31 percent compared to the same period last year, while infant mortality has fallen by 11 percent. The country has also exceeded its vaccination target by nearly 105 percent.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mustapha Kabba presented the latest performance data, attributing the gains to strengthened surveillance systems, targeted interventions, and increased community engagement. He said the results demonstrate that the campaign has moved beyond aspiration and is now producing measurable outcomes.
“The conversation has shifted from whether progress is possible to how we sustain and accelerate it,” Dr. Kabba emphasized.
Adding a continental perspective, Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Dr. Jean Kaseya, praised Sierra Leone’s efforts and described the 300 Days of Activism initiative as a significant milestone. He commended the country for demonstrating how focused political leadership and community action can drive meaningful improvements in maternal and child health outcomes.
Concluding the session, Dr. Demby assured development partners that Sierra Leone remains committed to transparency and accountability in managing healthcare resources. He pledged to strengthen community participation and ensure that healthcare services are not only accessible and effective but also delivered with dignity, compassion, and respect.
The Minister said the country has reached an important inflection point in its journey toward achieving the Triple Zero targets and urged partners not to relent in supporting efforts to secure a healthier future for Sierra Leone’s women and children.
Background
The Triple Zero Campaign was launched by the Government of Sierra Leone as a flagship public health initiative focused on eliminating three major challenges in healthcare delivery: preventable maternal deaths, preventable child deaths, and children who have not received any routine vaccinations, commonly referred to as “zero-dose” children.
The campaign forms part of President Julius Maada Bio’s broader healthcare reform agenda and is being implemented through a nationwide 300 Days of Activism programme. The initiative mobilizes healthcare workers, local authorities, development partners, community leaders, and citizens to accelerate improvements in maternal, newborn, and child health services.
Sierra Leone has historically faced one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates, with challenges including inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited access to skilled birth attendants, and gaps in immunization coverage. Through the Triple Zero Campaign, the government aims to strengthen primary healthcare systems, improve access to life-saving services, enhance vaccination coverage, and promote greater accountability across the health sector.
Officials say the campaign is designed not only to achieve short-term improvements but also to establish a sustainable culture of quality healthcare, data-driven decision-making, and community ownership of health outcomes.