By Jensen Brian Abass Cummings
For the month of September alone, 80 registered deaths were recorded in Sierra Leone — a country with an estimated population of approximately six million. On paper, this may seem a small figure, but the reality behind these numbers tells a far more troubling story. Each death represents a life lost, a family in grief, and a community affected. And when you start looking closer, patterns emerge that are impossible to ignore.
A Nation Under Strain
Sierra Leoneans are no strangers to hardship. Daily life is often a struggle against economic instability, urban congestion, and the psychological weight of poverty. Could the rising death rate be, in part, a reflection of enormous stress levels across the population? Stress has long been linked to hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular conditions — all of which are quietly becoming epidemic in our nation.
During a recent visit to a reputable physiotherapy hospital, I witnessed firsthand the alarming numbers of patients seeking treatment, even children as young as three. Many were suffering from complications related to heart conditions, strokes, or chronic musculoskeletal problems. The sight of so many young patients struggling physically was heartbreaking, and it raises urgent questions about what is driving these health challenges.
The Role of the Health System
It would be unfair to place all blame on individual lifestyles. Sierra Leone’s health system is overstretched, underfunded, and unevenly distributed. Clinics and hospitals in urban areas are often overwhelmed, while rural communities remain underserved. Preventive care is limited, public awareness campaigns are minimal, and access to quality treatment is still a major hurdle.
In this context, minor health issues can escalate into life-threatening conditions, and preventable deaths continue to rise quietly. The high incidence of heart attacks leading to strokes is a glaring indicator that our health infrastructure is failing to detect, monitor, and treat early warning signs.
What Could Be Really Happening?
The rising death rate may be the result of a deadly combination:
- Chronic Stress: Economic pressures, family responsibilities, and political uncertainty may be silently undermining the population’s health. Stress is not just psychological; it manifests physically, leading to hypertension and other conditions that can trigger sudden death.
- Poor Healthcare Access: Inadequate facilities, a shortage of qualified personnel, and high treatment costs mean that many Sierra Leoneans delay seeking care until it is too late.
- Lifestyle and Awareness Gaps: Diet, lack of exercise, and limited knowledge of preventive health measures contribute to the surge in cardiovascular and chronic illnesses.
- Weak Public Health Interventions: There is a need for more aggressive monitoring, early detection, and education programs to reduce preventable deaths, especially among young adults and children.
A Call for Urgent Action
The Ministry of Health and Sanitation, along with other responsible line ministries, must act decisively. Policies must prioritize public health education, improved healthcare access, and preventive care programs. Community-level initiatives are needed to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce stress-related illnesses. Hospitals and clinics must be equipped to manage both chronic and acute health conditions effectively.
The 80 deaths in September are not just numbers — they are warnings. Without immediate intervention, Sierra Leone risks a silent health crisis that could quietly claim thousands more lives. It is time for a national conversation on health, lifestyle, and systemic reform before more Sierra Leoneans die prematurely and unnecessarily.
We must act now. Otherwise, we may all find ourselves dying quietly in a system that fails to protect life, one death at a time.
