By: Kadijatu Ishmatu Bangura
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, has demanded accountability for rising maternal and child deaths, calling them “avoidable tragedies” that expose systemic failures in the country’s health system. His directive comes as Sierra Leone continues to record one of the highest maternal mortality rates in West Africa, despite years of international support and government initiatives.
Dr. Demby announced that hospitals and clinics nationwide must submit detailed reports on maternal and child deaths, outlining causes, circumstances, and corrective measures. He pledged that findings will be made public to increase transparency and restore confidence in the health sector.
“We cannot continue to bury mothers and children because of failures in our system. Accountability is not about punishment alone—it is about ensuring lessons are learned and standards improved,” Dr. Demby said.
Hospitals across Sierra Leone have been instructed to investigate every maternal and child death, with responsibility assigned to medical staff and institutions where negligence is proven.
Recent ministry data shows maternal deaths are increasing in rural districts, where access to skilled birth attendants and emergency care is limited. Child mortality, particularly among newborns, has risen due to infections, malnutrition, and inadequate neonatal services. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality ratio remains among the highest globally, with more than 1,000 deaths per 100,000 live births. UNICEF has also warned that preventable child deaths are undermining progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr. Demby highlighted several challenges fueling the crisis: a shortage of skilled staff, poor infrastructure, delayed referrals, and weak accountability structures. Many rural clinics lack trained midwives and doctors, while facilities often operate without electricity, running water, or essential equipment. Cases of negligence are rarely investigated, leaving families without answers.
Global health partners have pledged support for emergency obstetric training, supply of essential medicines, and strengthening referral networks. WHO’s country office welcomed Dr. Demby’s directive, noting that accountability mechanisms are essential to reducing maternal and child mortality. UNICEF has urged Sierra Leone to prioritize investments in neonatal care and nutrition programs.
Behind the statistics are heartbreaking stories. In Bo District, a 27-year-old mother died after prolonged labor when the local clinic lacked equipment for a cesarean section. Her newborn did not survive. In Kambia, a child suffering from pneumonia died after delays in receiving oxygen therapy. Families across Sierra Leone are demanding justice and reforms, saying they cannot continue to lose loved ones to preventable causes.
The Health Ministry has announced national review panels to investigate maternal and child deaths, performance audits of hospitals and clinics, community engagement programs to educate families, and stricter accountability measures for negligent health workers.
Sierra Leone has struggled with maternal health for decades, worsened by the legacy of civil war, Ebola, and COVID-19. The Free Health Care Initiative, launched in 2010 to provide free services for pregnant women and children under five, improved access but has been criticized for poor implementation and lack of accountability.
Dr. Demby’s demand for accountability marks a turning point in Sierra Leone’s health policy. By framing maternal and child deaths as preventable, the government is signaling a shift from passive acceptance to active responsibility. Observers say success will depend on whether accountability measures are enforced consistently, and whether health workers are supported with training and resources rather than simply blamed.
Sierra Leone’s maternal health crisis is both a tragedy and a test of governance. Dr. Austin Demby’s bold call for accountability has raised hopes that the country may finally confront systemic failures that have cost countless lives. For grieving families, the demand is clear: justice, reform, and a health system that protects rather than fails them.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 19th August 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
