In 2000, Sierra Leone held the highest maternal mortality rate in the world. More than two decades later, the country is still recovering from that reality. In 2022, maternal mortality was officially declared a public health emergency. Yet today, new investments, innovation, and system-wide reforms are beginning to shift the trajectory.
Through a national digital health strategy, Sierra Leone is improving access to care using digital systems, mobile pregnancy tracking, and drone-supported supply delivery. These tools now connect rural and hard-to-reach communities with critical medical support.
Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health, recently highlighted a significant milestone: maternal mortality has fallen from 443 to 354 deaths per 100,000 live births. With continued investment, the country is on track to reach fewer than 300 by 2025.
Innovation Driving Change
UNFPA Sierra Leone, Ministry of Health, DSTI, and other stakeholders to launch the PReSTrack App (Photo by UNFPA)
One of the most impactful innovations is the Pregnancy Registration and Service Tracking application (PReSTrack), developed by the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation alongside the Ministry of Health and UNFPA.
Before PReSTrack, many pregnancies, especially in rural communities, went unregistered, leaving high-risk women invisible in the health system. The app now enables health workers to record pregnancies in real time, track antenatal visits, document complications, and identify high-risk cases early. It also sends appointment reminders and supports data-driven decision-making at the district and national levels.
PReSTrack is now being scaled nationally, representing an important shift from fragmented reporting to continuous monitoring, helping ensure that no woman falls through the gaps simply because of where she lives.
Strengthening the Health System
An aerial view of the Maternal Center of Excellence in Kono District (Photo by Partners in Health)
Infrastructure investment is advancing alongside technology. In January 2026, Partners In Health will open the Maternal Center of Excellence (MCOE) in Kono, a landmark facility designed to deliver world-class maternal and newborn care in Sierra Leone.
Built in partnership with the government, the MCOE will include labour and delivery wards, operating theatres, neonatal intensive care services, training facilities, and research programs. Beyond offering care, it aims to serve as a teaching hospital to develop the next generation of midwives, nurses, and obstetric specialists.
The vision is long-term: a health system where lifesaving care is not limited to major cities, and where complex pregnancy complications can be treated within the country instead of resulting in preventable death.
Where Community Meets Progress
These developments closely align with the mission of the Aminata Maternal Foundation, which continues advocating for system reform while supporting mothers and families directly. Technology and infrastructure are essential, but lasting, equitable change also depends on empowering the women and communities at the centre of the issue.
Through programs supporting teenage mothers, including safe childbirth, education, psychosocial support, and pathways to training and employment, the Foundation contributes to a future where women are not only safe but informed, confident, and equipped to thrive.
Sierra Leone’s progress demonstrates what becomes possible when systems evolve, innovation is embraced, and women’s lives are prioritised. The work is ongoing, but momentum is growing and hope is becoming tangible.
The goal is no longer just survival. It is dignity, safety, and a future where every mother and every baby has the chance not only to live, but to live well.
Sources:
https://sierraleone.unfpa.org/en/news/sierra-leone-launches-innovative-pregnancy-registration-and-service-tracking-application
https://www.pih.org/article/pih-announces-opening-timeline-maternal-center-excellence-sierra-leone