By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Freetown, June 10, 2026 — The Ministry of Health has introduced a nationwide District Performance Awards Programme to accelerate improvements in maternal and child health, strengthen accountability, and foster healthy competition among districts.
Launched on Wednesday at the Ministry’s headquarters, the initiative forms part of the government’s 300-Day Health Transformation Agenda, which is already delivering measurable progress in reducing maternal and child mortality through a data-driven approach.
Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby said the awards were designed to recognize districts achieving strong results while motivating others to improve through transparent comparison and shared learning.
“Recognition matters. When people are acknowledged for good work, they are motivated to do even more,” Dr. Demby said. “These awards are acknowledgements — a way of saying thank you for the work being done, and of encouraging continued excellence across the system.”
Top-Performing Districts
Following the first month of implementation, five districts were ranked highest based on structured assessments of health data covering maternal mortality reduction, child survival, immunization coverage, and service delivery performance:
- Falaba District — 1st place, 78 points, awarded US$30,000
- Koinadugu District — 2nd place, 72 points, awarded US$20,000
- Tonkolili District — 3rd place, 69 points, awarded US$15,000
- Bonthe District — 4th place, 65 points, awarded US$10,000
- Kenema District — 5th place, awarded US$5,000
The Ministry emphasized that funds must be reinvested into local health systems, including facility upgrades, service improvements, equipment procurement, and interventions directly linked to better outcomes.
Driving Competition and Accountability
Dr. Demby underscored that the awards are not personal incentives but institutional recognition tied to performance. He said structured competition between districts would create urgency, ownership, and a stronger drive to improve.
“We are creating healthy competition among districts. Every district is watching the others and striving to improve,” he noted.
The Ministry has committed to conducting monthly performance reviews to ensure progress is continuously tracked, compared, and rewarded.
Early Results
The awards come amid notable progress in Sierra Leone’s maternal and child health outcomes. In the first 100 days of the transformation agenda, maternal deaths declined from 123 in the same period last year to 85 — a 31 percent reduction. Child mortality also fell, while thousands of previously unvaccinated children were reached through intensified outreach and immunization campaigns.
Dr. Demby said the initiative is already reshaping district operations:
“Next month, we will assess performance again. Those who are doing well will want to maintain their standards, and others will work harder to improve. Nobody wants to be left behind.”
A National Commitment
Beyond recognition, the Minister stressed that the ultimate goal is ensuring equal access to quality healthcare for every woman and child, regardless of geography or background.
“No matter where a woman lives — in Koinadugu, Falaba, Kenema, Freetown, or anywhere else in Sierra Leone — the health system and the community should come together to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy and delivery,” Dr. Demby said.