The Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health, Dr Mustapha Kabba, has assured citizens that Sierra Leone remains free of Ebola, while outlining measures being taken by the government to strengthen the country’s preparedness against any possible outbreak.

Speaking during the Lungi Civic Day Townhall held on 19 May 2026 in Lungi, Dr Kabba said the Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the Ebola situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo in collaboration with international and regional health partners, including the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to Dr Kabba, although Sierra Leone has not recorded any Ebola case, the government has already activated its national readiness and response mechanisms to prevent any potential outbreak in the country. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and continue observing proper hygiene practices as part of preventive measures.

Related News

Dr Kabba also used the townhall meeting to provide updates on improvements within Sierra Leone’s healthcare sector, particularly in maternal and child healthcare under the government’s ongoing 300 Days of Activism campaign.

He stated that before the COVID-19 pandemic, Sierra Leone had only one oxygen plant located in Kingtom, but the country now has twelve oxygen plants supplying free oxygen to government hospitals nationwide. He said the development has significantly strengthened emergency healthcare delivery across the country.

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer further disclosed that major healthcare facilities nationwide are now supported with solar power systems, improved sanitation, and better hygiene conditions aimed at improving healthcare services, especially in rural communities.

Providing figures on maternal healthcare progress, Dr Kabba said Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality rate has reduced from 1,682 deaths per 100,000 live births to 354 deaths per 100,000 live births. He described the achievement as a reflection of sustained government investment in the health sector.

He explained that the 300 Days of Activism initiative is focused on ensuring that no pregnant woman dies from preventable causes while seeking medical care. Dr Kabba described the campaign as a “race to zero maternal mortality” through a multisectoral and community-driven approach.

According to him, the campaign encourages pregnant women to regularly attend hospitals and clinics, promotes child vaccination, and supports infrastructure improvements, including the construction and rehabilitation of roads leading to healthcare facilities.

Dr Kabba further stated that governance and monitoring structures have been established at both ministry and district levels to ensure accountability and effective implementation of the initiative.

Highlighting early outcomes of the campaign, he revealed that maternal deaths recorded within the first 70 days of implementation have significantly declined compared to the same period last year. He noted that by the same time in the previous year, about 80 maternal deaths had been recorded, but current figures show a major reduction.

The nationwide campaign was officially launched in March 2026 by Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, with the objective of eliminating preventable maternal and child deaths and reducing the number of “zero-dose” children who have never received routine vaccinations.

Health authorities say the initiative continues to focus on rapid healthcare delivery, community participation, and data-driven interventions as Sierra Leone strengthens efforts to improve healthcare services and save lives across the country.