Sierra Leone Reports 31.3% Drop in Maternal Deaths as 300-Day Drive Advances
Sierra Leone has recorded a significant decline in maternal and child deaths at the two-thirds mark of its 300 Days of Activism campaign, with maternal deaths falling by 31.3% and child deaths declining by 11.7%.
The figures were presented to President Julius Maada Bio by Minister of Health Austin Demby, PhD, MPH, and Deputy Minister 2 Dr Jalikatu Mustapha during a progress update on the campaign.
According to the Ministry of Health, the initiative has also surpassed its target for reaching zero-dose children, achieving 102% of the set vaccination goal.
The campaign further identified previously unvaccinated children who had been missed in the original estimates, expanding efforts to ensure more children receive essential routine vaccinations.
The Ministry estimates that the combined interventions have contributed to approximately 399 maternal and child deaths being averted since the campaign began.
The reported progress has been attributed to strengthened leadership, the use of real-time data, increased accountability and coordinated action by frontline health workers, all focused on reducing preventable maternal and child deaths and reaching unvaccinated children.
With 100 days remaining in the campaign, the Ministry of Health said it will continue to sustain the momentum and build on the gains recorded so far.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to advancing efforts toward a Sierra Leone where preventable maternal and child deaths are reduced and every mother and child has the opportunity to survive and thrive.