A new maternal and child health facility in Kono District is almost complete. Located in Koidu town, the Maternal Center of Excellence (MCOE) is a 120-bed hospital co-funded by the Government of Sierra Leone and Partners In Health.

The facility is expected to expand access to care for mothers and babies and provide a space for medical training, modern technology and clinical research. Once finished, it will serve not only Sierra Leone but also attract interest from across the West Africa region.

The Ministry of Health has been closely involved in the project. On Thursday, the national steering committee made up of teams from the Ministry and Partners In Health held a meeting to review progress and set plans for the official commissioning of the center.

Construction is now in its final phase. Handover and operations are expected to begin in the coming months. The MCOE will provide in-patient services and a training platform for health professionals. It also aims to support knowledge exchange between local and international experts.

In addition to the hospital, a new warehouse has been built on site to store medical equipment, medicines and other supplies. This structure is designed to support the long-term operations of the hospital and ensure proper storage and delivery of healthcare items.

The MCOE project aligns with national efforts to improve healthcare delivery across the country. It is expected to support services for mothers and children in both urban and rural areas.

The official opening is planned within the next few months.