By Ibrahim S. Bangura
The Ministry of Health on Monday March 2, 2026, officially launched the 300 Days of Activism, to accelerate progress toward ending preventable maternal and child deaths and eliminating zero-dose children within a defined 300-day period.
The initiative marks a decisive shift by the Ministry from periodic health campaigns to sustained, day-to-day action across health facilities and communities nationwide, strengthening accountability, service delivery, and outcomes.
The launch event, held in Freetown at the Miatta Civic Centre, brought together senior government officials, health professionals, district health leadership, development partners, and community stakeholders, underscoring the collective responsibility required to protect the lives of women and children.
Despite notable progress over the past decade, Sierra Leone continues to face significant maternal and child health challenges. Current estimates place the maternal mortality ratio at approximately 717 deaths per 100,000 live births. The Ministry, however, emphasized that these figures are neither accepted nor inevitable.
Launching the campaign, the Minister of Health, Dr Austin Demby, described the 300 Days of Activism as a practical framework for translating national policy into consistent action at every level of the health system. “This initiative is about what happens every single day in our facilities and communities. We have made progress, but we have also seen gaps, particularly in immunization coverage and missed opportunities for infant care. These gaps are preventable, and that is why we are acting with urgency,” Dr. Demby said.
He noted that an estimated 45,000 children remain zero-dose, having received no routine immunization, and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that no woman or child dies from causes that can be prevented through timely, quality care.
Dr. Demby explained that the campaign aligns directly with the President’s Triple Zero Vision—zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths, and zero zero-dose children—championed by Julius Maada Bio. “The President challenged us to move beyond plans and into action. Reducing maternal and child mortality requires leadership, sound policy, and disciplined execution. The 300 Days of Activism is our acceleration window to reset performance standards and deliver results,” he said.
He stressed that preventable maternal and child deaths will now be treated as system performance failures, requiring immediate corrective action. Measures under the initiative include strengthened supervision, improved supply chain management, equipment readiness, real-time data verification within 24 hours, maternal death reviews within seven days, and strict enforcement of clinical standards.
Community engagement, he added, remains central to the strategy. “Traditional leaders, families, and local authorities must support early antenatal registration, facility-based delivery, and full immunization. Triple Zero is now the benchmark for district and national performance.”
Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Medical Services, Dr. Mustapha Kabba, acknowledged the country’s progress while emphasizing the need for continued vigilance. “We have reduced maternal mortality by about 70 percent over the past decade due to strong leadership, governance, and sustained political commitment to health. But if even one woman dies from a preventable cause, or one child misses life-saving vaccines, then our work is not finished,” he said.
Dr. Kabba described the 300 Days of Activism as an opportunity to close operational gaps through support rather than punishment. “Districts will be supported, communities empowered, and accountability shared. Every pregnancy counts. Every child counts. Every life counts,” he said.
Another speaker, Minister Chernoh Bah, underlined the national importance of maternal and newborn health, describing it as a measure of the country’s collective well-being. He praised the leadership of President Bio and the Ministry of Health for prioritizing life-saving reforms and investments.
The 300 Days of Activism campaign reinforces the government’s commitment to protecting life as a core national duty, ensuring that every woman can give birth safely and every child in Sierra Leone has the opportunity to survive, thrive, and reach their full potential.