Sierra Leone Commemorates World Health Day 2025 with Focus on Maternal Health
On April 7, 2025, Sierra Leone commemorated World Health Day with WHO, focusing on “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.” The event emphasized the need for partnerships to reduce maternal and newborn mortality. With a reduction in maternal deaths from 443 to 354 per 100,000 live births, Sierra Leone aims to achieve less than 300 by 2025, showcasing progress and commitment from the government and partners.
On April 7, 2025, Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health, commemorated World Health Day under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.” This initiative sought to enhance systems and partnerships ensuring that every woman and newborn not only survives but thrives. The gathering included key health stakeholders, journalists, and donors who aimed to promote progress in reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths in the country, marking the launch of a year-long Maternal and Newborn Health Campaign focused on tackling this public health emergency.
Dr. George Ameh, the WHO Country Representative, praised Sierra Leone for its significant achievements in decreasing maternal and newborn mortality rates. He noted the importance of this year’s commemoration, coinciding with WHO’s 77th anniversary, emphasizing collective efforts needed to end preventable deaths. Dr. Ameh highlighted that since 2000, maternal mortality in Sierra Leone has declined by 78%, significantly due to the government’s declaration of maternal and newborn deaths as a national emergency in 2019.
Dr. Austin Demby presented recent figures from the UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group, indicating success in lowering maternal mortality rates from 443 to 354 per 100,000 live births between 2020 and 2023. This statistic signifies that Sierra Leone is on a promising path toward achieving a maternal mortality rate of under 300 by 2025. He reinforced the theme’s alignment with the Person-Centered Life Stages Approach, asserting that a healthy start in life is crucial for future prosperity.
Dr. Demby acknowledged the significant strides accomplished but stated that further efforts are necessary to build on these advancements. He emphasized the government’s focus on accountability in maternal and child healthcare through the Incident Management System, where the circumstances of each maternal death are analyzed to prevent future occurrences. He announced initiatives like the Prestrack system to monitor pregnancies effectively.
Moreover, Dr. Demby reiterated the government’s pledge to continue supporting WHO and partners in delivering essential health services. The WHO will coordinate with partners to implement targeted interventions throughout the year, including community outreach, health worker training, policy advocacy, and enhancements in service delivery. Additionally, efforts to mobilize blood resources for life-saving interventions, particularly for mothers in emergencies, were highlighted through collaboration with the Sierra Leone Blood Bank.
In summary, Sierra Leone’s observance of World Health Day 2025 highlights the country’s commitment to improving maternal and newborn health. The significant reduction in maternal mortality rates showcases the effectiveness of governmental actions and partnerships. Continued efforts, accountability, and targeted interventions will be crucial in sustaining these gains and ensuring the health of women and children in Sierra Leone.
Original Source: www.afro.who.int
