Sierra Leone has recorded measurable progress in reducing maternal deaths in recent years, but health experts say significant challenges remain in ensuring that every pregnancy and childbirth is safe across the country.

Speaking at a Ministry of Information press briefing on Tuesday, May 4, 2026, Isata Dumbuya, Director of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health at Partners in Health Sierra Leone, emphasized the critical role of midwives and called for stronger investment in maternal health services and increased public trust in formal healthcare systems.

Dumbuya described maternal health as more than a medical indicator, calling it a key measure of national development. She noted that global attention often focuses on maternal deaths as a reflection of the strength of a country’s health system.

“They will not ask how many people die from asthma or heart disease. They will ask how many women die when giving birth,” she said, underscoring the broader implications of maternal mortality.

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According to her, Sierra Leone has made notable progress, with maternal mortality improving from an estimated one in 17 women dying during childbirth to about one in 74. While she described this as a significant achievement, she cautioned that the figures still reflect a high level of risk for many women.

Dumbuya attributed the gains to targeted health interventions, while warning that persistent gaps in access, quality of care, and timely treatment continue to undermine progress.

She stressed that midwives remain central to improving maternal and newborn outcomes. Their responsibilities include antenatal care, early detection of complications, emergency response during delivery, and community health education—services she said are critical to preventing avoidable deaths.

“Investing in midwifery is investing in the future of the country,” she noted, adding that skilled midwives contribute not only to safer childbirth but also to healthier families and stronger national development outcomes.

To address workforce shortages, Dumbuya disclosed that Sierra Leone is expanding training pathways, including the introduction of direct-entry degree programmes in midwifery. The reform, she said, is aimed at increasing both the number and quality of skilled birth attendants nationwide.

She also highlighted the Maternal Centre of Excellence in Kono as a model for integrated care and training, combining advanced maternal and newborn health services with practical training for healthcare workers.

Despite progress, Dumbuya warned that delays in seeking medical care remain a major contributor to maternal deaths. She noted that many women first rely on self-medication or traditional remedies, often arriving at health facilities only when complications have become severe.

Other challenges include limited resources, uneven distribution of trained health workers, and gaps in community trust in formal health services.

She called for a dual approach: strengthening the health system through more midwives, better-equipped facilities, and improved referral systems, while also increasing community awareness to encourage early use of maternal health services.

Dumbuya concluded by urging stakeholders to view maternal health as a national development priority rather than a standalone health issue, stressing that the wellbeing of mothers and children is essential to Sierra Leone’s long-term growth.

Her remarks reinforce a policy direction focused on expanding midwifery education, investing in high-quality maternal health facilities, and building public confidence in healthcare systems to ensure safer childbirth outcomes across the country.