Sierra Leone Commemorates World Health Day 2025: A Commitment to Maternal and Newborn Health

On April 7, 2025, Sierra Leone commemorated World Health Day with the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” aimed at reducing maternal and newborn mortality. Significant progress has been made, with a 78% decrease in maternal deaths since 2000. Initiatives like the Prestrack mechanism will enhance accountability and track pregnancies. The campaign will include various health interventions throughout the year.

On April 7, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health of Sierra Leone commemorated World Health Day, themed “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.” This event aimed to strengthen systems and partnerships to ensure the survival and well-being of women and newborns. It also marked the official launch of a year-long campaign focused on reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths in the country.

The occasion was attended by health stakeholders, including senior officials from the Ministry of Health, health development partners, and representatives from the donor community. Emphasizing the country’s progress, Dr. George Ameh, WHO Country Representative, praised Sierra Leone’s significant reductions in maternal and newborn mortality, attributing the improvements to the government’s bold initiatives, such as declaring maternal and newborn deaths a national emergency in 2019.

Dr. Ameh highlighted Sierra Leone’s impressive 78% decline in maternal mortality since 2000. He stated, “Every dollar invested in maternal and newborn health delivers life-saving returns: healthier families, stronger societies, and economic resilience.” Dr. Austin Demby presented data from the UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group, reporting progress in reducing maternal mortality rates from 443 to 354 per 100,000 live births from 2020 to 2023, aiming for a target of below 300 by 2025.

Dr. Demby reaffirmed the importance of a healthy start to life, emphasizing that it lays the foundation for future wellbeing. He stated, “Sierra Leone has made commendable progress, but we must do more to sustain and build on our gains.” He described initiatives like the structured response through the Incident Management System aimed at addressing maternal and child mortality issues efficiently.

To track every pregnancy and ensure accountability, Dr. Demby mentioned the introduction of the Prestrack mechanism. The government of Sierra Leone continues to support the WHO and its partners in healthcare delivery. Throughout the year, WHO and partners plan targeted interventions, including community outreach, health worker training, policy advocacy, and vital service delivery improvements. Moreover, collaboration with the Sierra Leone Blood Bank highlights efforts to provide life-saving blood transfusions to mothers facing emergencies.

The recognition of World Health Day 2025 by Sierra Leone serves as a crucial platform for addressing maternal and newborn health challenges. With effective strategies and a commitment from the government and WHO, remarkable progress has been made in reducing mortality rates. Continued collaboration and targeted interventions are essential to sustain these achievements and ensure that every woman and newborn thrives.

Original Source: www.afro.who.int