Maternal Deaths Drop by 68.8% in Bo as Health Minister Calls for Continued Action
Kanja Sesay Bo District has recorded a 68.8% reduction in maternal deaths between early July and early October 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, marking significant progress in Sierra Leone’s efforts to reduce pregnancy-related deaths.
However, despite the recent improvement, the district has recorded more maternal deaths overall this year than during the corresponding period last year, highlighting the need for sustained efforts to improve maternal healthcare.
The figures were highlighted during an engagement in Bo on Friday, October 30, 2026, led by Minister of Health Dr Austin Demby and Chief Medical Officer Dr Mustapha Kabba as part of the government’s 300 Days of Activism for Triple Zero campaign.
The engagement brought together healthcare workers and community members to assess progress, examine challenges and identify measures needed to prevent avoidable maternal deaths.
According to figures presented during the engagement, Bo District recorded five maternal deaths between early July and early October 2026, compared with 16 deaths during the corresponding period in 2025.
This represents a reduction of approximately 68.8%, indicating a substantial improvement in the district’s recent maternal health outcomes.
The progress follows a difficult start to the year, when Bo was among the districts recording high numbers of pregnancy-related deaths.
In May 2026 alone, the district recorded 10 maternal deaths, making it the deadliest month of the year for mothers in the district.
However, the figures began to improve in the following months.
Maternal deaths declined to three in June and three in July before falling further to one in August, one in September and one in October.
The downward trend suggests that efforts to address maternal health challenges are beginning to produce encouraging results.
Despite the improvement, health authorities have emphasised that every maternal death remains a serious concern.
At the national level, Sierra Leone has recorded a 31.3% reduction in maternal deaths compared with the corresponding period in 2025.
The improvement reflects progress in the country’s efforts to strengthen maternal healthcare and prevent avoidable deaths during pregnancy and childbirth.
However, the Ministry of Health has stressed that the national decline should not overshadow challenges in districts where maternal mortality remains high.
The 300 Days of Activism for Triple Zero campaign seeks to encourage stronger action by health workers, communities and healthcare institutions to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.
As part of the campaign, Dr Demby and Dr Kabba have been engaging healthcare workers and communities in different parts of the country.
The engagements began in the Western Area Urban and Rural districts before extending to Bo.
The discussions focus on identifying the factors contributing to maternal deaths and strengthening measures to address them.
Despite the encouraging reduction in recent maternal deaths, the Health Minister urged healthcare workers and communities to maintain their efforts.
“We have to keep improving and change these figures for the sake of our mothers and their babies,” Dr Demby said.
He emphasised the importance of ensuring that healthcare facilities are prepared to respond to maternal emergencies at all times.
The Minister’s message also underscored the need for healthcare workers to identify danger signs early and respond promptly to complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
Health authorities are expected to continue reviewing maternal deaths to identify weaknesses in healthcare delivery and prevent similar incidents.
The Ministry of Health has also stressed the importance of treating pregnant women with dignity and ensuring that they receive appropriate medical attention without unnecessary delays.
At the conclusion of the engagement in Bo, Dr Demby interacted with nurses, doctors and community members involved in efforts to improve maternal healthcare.
The Minister also took a photograph with healthcare workers and community representatives, demonstrating appreciation for their contributions to saving mothers and newborns.
The interaction reflected the importance of cooperation between healthcare professionals, government authorities and communities in addressing maternal mortality.
As Sierra Leone continues its efforts to reduce pregnancy-related deaths, the recent improvement in Bo provides an encouraging indication of what sustained action can achieve.
However, the district’s overall figures remain a reminder that further improvements are necessary.
For the Ministry of Health, the priority remains clear: prevent avoidable maternal deaths, strengthen public confidence in healthcare services and work towards the goal of zero maternal deaths.