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Port Loko District has gone 100 days without a reported maternal death, according to Health Minister Dr Austin Demby, as Sierra Leone intensifies efforts to prevent avoidable deaths among women and children.
Demby announced the district’s milestone during an event highlighting new health commodities procured as part of the government’s 300 Days of Activism for Triple Zero campaign. Truth Media reported the Port Loko achievement on September 16.
The campaign, launched by President Julius Maada Bio, seeks to achieve zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths and zero zero-dose children, those who have not received essential routine vaccinations. The Ministry of Health launched the initiative in March as a 300-day push to strengthen accountability and health service delivery.
The Port Loko result comes as the government expands access to medicines, reproductive health commodities and other essential supplies intended to improve care for women and children.
The National Medical Supplies Agency said it procured sexual and reproductive health commodities valued at approximately US$2 million for nationwide distribution through the Ministry of Health’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme. The supplies are intended to strengthen health facilities’ ability to provide essential services and ensure access to medicines and medical equipment.
Demby said the progress recorded in Port Loko demonstrates what can be achieved when health services are strengthened, and frontline systems receive the necessary support.
“This is a clear signal that with the right investments, training, and accountability, preventable deaths can be eliminated,” he said.
The Health Ministry has identified strengthening emergency obstetric care, essential commodities, health workers, equipment and referral systems as important components of its broader maternal and child health efforts.
Sierra Leone has also recorded broader improvements during the campaign. The National Medical Supplies Agency reported that, as the country approached the 192nd day of the 300-day campaign, maternal mortality had declined by approximately 32%, while infant mortality had fallen by nearly 14%. The agency also said more than 90% of zero-dose children had been identified.
The Ministry of Health has separately stated that Sierra Leone has reduced maternal deaths by more than 70% over roughly the past decade.
The government says the remaining phase of the 300 Days of Activism will focus on sustaining improvements and addressing preventable causes of maternal and child deaths through stronger health services, community engagement and accountability.
The Port Loko milestone provides a district-level measure of progress as Sierra Leone continues its effort to achieve the campaign’s Triple Zero targets nationwide.