By Sallieu S. Kanu
Kambia, January 27, 2026: The Ministry of Health (MoH) has launched a full investigation into the reported death of 30-year-old Kadiatu Pompay Kamara at the Kambia Government Hospital, following allegations that a Community Health Officer (CHO) performed a critical surgical procedure without supervision from a medical doctor. The incident has sparked public outrage and renewed calls for accountability in maternal healthcare delivery.
Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family, stressing that any preventable maternal death is unacceptable and will be thoroughly examined. He emphasized that the tragedy must serve as a catalyst to strengthen systems, improve service delivery, and save more lives across the country.
Ministry Highlights Progress Amid Challenges
While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations, the Ministry urged the public to view the incident within the broader context of Kambia’s improving health outcomes. The district recorded a 28% reduction in maternal deaths between 2024 and 2025, ranking among the top districts nationwide for low maternal mortality.
The MoH explained that trained CHOs performing limited surgical procedures is an internationally recognized stop-gap measure in underserved areas, provided proper supervision is in place. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to addressing staffing gaps and implementing reforms under the National Surgical, Obstetric and Anesthesia Plan (NSOAP).
Nationally, Sierra Leone has made significant progress in maternal health, reducing maternal mortality by over 70% since 2008 through investments in skilled midwives, improved facilities, and expanded training of doctors and surgeons. However, challenges remain, including a severe shortage of surgeons and high unmet surgical needs.
Public Outcry Over Hospital Conditions
Despite these gains, the current state of the Kambia Government Hospital has raised serious concerns. Residents report that the hospital operates without a trained medical doctor, leaving CHOs with limited or no surgical expertise to carry out critical procedures, including cesarean sections.
This situation has already led to tragic outcomes, with several women suffering severe complications, sometimes death, due to unprofessional medical interventions. The most recent case of Kadiatu Kamara, who underwent two cesarean operations shortly after giving birth, has left the community devastated and demanding answers.
Community members describe it as deeply troubling that a government referral hospital intended to serve as a center of medical excellence functions without a single resident medical doctor, aside from a medical superintendent who rarely attends to patients.
Calls for Accountability and Reform
The people of Kambia District are demanding an immediate and independent investigation into the operations of the hospital. They insist that management must publicly explain why CHOs are being allowed to perform high-risk surgical operations without proper medical oversight.