Give now

Hope in Maternal Health in Sierra Leone

Local health authorities, with support from WHO and partners, are making inspiring strides to reduce infant mortality and build a healthier future.
  • Share
Freetown, Sierra Leone, is taking incredible steps in maternal and infant health. National guidelines for emergency obstetric care are being successfully implemented, improving the quality of care and ensuring that mothers and infants are protected during critical moments.
 
World Health Organization’s (WHO) contributions of medical supplies and training are empowering healthcare providers and strengthening the entire healthcare system. Together, these efforts are lighting the way for a healthier, more hopeful future for women and children in Sierra Leone.

Read More: Improving quality of care to save lives in Sierra Leone | WHO | Regional Office for Africa

Impact on Maternal Health

Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality rate reduced by around 74% between 2000 and 2020, from 1682 deaths per 100 000 live births to 443, while under 5 mortalities has seen a 55% decrease, from 225 to 101 per 1000 live births between 2000 to 2022. 

Already, more and more women in Sierra Leone are now seeking health care services consistently throughout all stages of pregnancy, with over 80% of deliveries taking place in health care facilities by skilled birth attendants, up from 54% in 2010.

Dr Austin Demby, the country’s Minister of Health, has made maternal and child health a top priority, to the extent that he has declared that any maternal or child death should be treated as an emergency.

“What we want to do is to focus on maternal mortality on the one hand but also focus on child survival. We are looking at child survival to the extent that we want to take this so seriously as a nation that we have declared an emergency, a local emergency, that allows us to focus and direct resources at not only having the safe delivery of a baby and allow this baby to not only survive but also thrive.”