By Mahamood Fofana
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, Dr Austin Demby, says the country is making significant progress towards its “Triple Zero” targets under the Ministry’s 300 Days of Activism campaign.
The campaign, launched on 1 March 2026, is focused on achieving three key objectives: eliminating preventable maternal deaths, reducing preventable child deaths, and ensuring that no child remains without access to routine vaccination.
Speaking on the 150th day of the campaign, Minister Demby reported a 30 percent decline in maternal deaths, a 14 percent reduction in child deaths, and said 79 percent of identified zero-dose children had been reached with routine vaccinations.
Demby acknowledged that the campaign has faced challenges but said the results so far demonstrate that ambitious health targets can be achieved through sustained action and collaboration.
“We have proven that the impossible can be possible,” he said, urging health workers and development partners to intensify efforts during the remaining 150 days.
The Minister said the second half of the campaign represents a critical opportunity to accelerate interventions aimed at improving maternal, newborn and child survival.
His update comes against the backdrop of President Julius Maada Bio’s recent State Opening Address to Parliament, in which he highlighted improvements in Sierra Leone’s maternal and child health indicators.
President Bio reported that under five mortality had declined from 105 to 91 deaths per 1,000 live births, while neonatal mortality fell from 31 to 29 deaths per 1,000 live births.
He also reported a 51 percent reduction in maternal mortality, describing the progress as a major contribution to Sierra Leone’s decade long improvement in maternal health outcomes between 2013 and 2023.
The government says the latest figures reflect continued investment and interventions in maternal, newborn and child healthcare, as Sierra Leone seeks to accelerate progress towards its Triple Zero ambition.
With 150 days remaining in the campaign, the Ministry of Health is expected to intensify efforts to reach communities still facing barriers to healthcare, particularly mothers, newborns and children who remain underserved.
The ultimate test, however, will be whether the reported gains can be sustained and translated into further reductions in preventable deaths and improved access to essential healthcare across the country.
