Government Expands Emergency Medical Response with 105 Ambulances Nationwide
Alusine Ahmed Kargbo The Government of Sierra Leone has deployed 105 ambulances across the country to strengthen emergency medical referrals and support efforts to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths.
The figure was highlighted during a special town hall meeting at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, as part of the 300 Days of Activism for the Triple Zero campaign.
Dr. Francis Moses, Director of Reproductive and Child Health, stressed the importance of a reliable referral system to ensure patients receive timely medical attention at appropriate health facilities.
“You need a good referral system. You need a network. You need the ambulance,” he said.
The ambulance service supports emergency transfers involving pregnant women with complications, children requiring urgent treatment and other patients in need of specialised medical care.
Deputy Minister of Health II, Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha, emphasised that emergency medical services must remain operational at all times, including during the night and rainy season.
“No day off… no night off… no rain season off,” she said, underscoring the need for uninterrupted emergency response services.
Health officials noted that distance, poor road conditions, rivers and difficult terrain continue to pose challenges for communities seeking medical attention, particularly in rural areas. Such barriers can delay access to hospitals when pregnant women experience complications or children require urgent treatment.
Officials also stressed that the availability of ambulances alone would not guarantee timely care. Effective communication, early recognition of danger signs, prompt referrals and coordination between health facilities are equally important in ensuring patients receive appropriate treatment.
Traditional leaders, local councils, community health workers and families were urged to support efforts to improve maternal and child health. Paramount chiefs, section chiefs and town chiefs were encouraged to promote antenatal care, childhood immunisation and awareness of medical emergencies within their communities.
The 300 Days of Activism for the Triple Zero campaign brings together government institutions, health workers and communities to address preventable deaths and improve health outcomes. Its activities focus on encouraging early intervention, reducing barriers to healthcare and strengthening cooperation across the health system.
The deployment of 105 ambulances forms part of the emergency referral response, but their effectiveness will also depend on timely dispatch, appropriate deployment and the capacity of receiving health facilities to provide the necessary treatment.
Health officials maintained that reducing preventable maternal and child deaths requires sustained collaboration among government institutions, healthcare professionals, traditional authorities and communities to ensure that patients can access emergency care without avoidable delays.