By Kadiatu Saffa
Sierra Leone is at a crossroads, with a chance to rewrite the story of maternal health in the country. The Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Healthcare Bill is more than a policy proposal—it’s a call to action, a plea to save lives, and a commitment to a future where no woman dies from preventable causes.
Leading this charge is the impassioned Deputy Minister of Health II, Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha, who has taken her case to Parliament, urging lawmakers to embrace the transformative power of the bill. With conviction and compassion, she declared that the bill is a lifeline for countless women and girls, aligning Sierra Leone with global health standards and the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
“This is about saving lives,” she told Members of Parliament. “This bill isn’t just about numbers; it’s about people—mothers, daughters, sisters—who deserve a chance to live.”
*Progress Made, Challenges Remain*
Sierra Leone has made commendable strides in maternal health, slashing the maternal mortality rate by 60%, from 717 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017 to 443 in 2021. However, as Dr. Mustapha reminded the room, the battle is far from over.
“We still have one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally. Too many newborns and mothers are lost to preventable causes. This bill will help us address these tragedies head-on,” she said.
One of the most pressing issues is teenage pregnancy. In Sierra Leone, a shocking one in three girls becomes pregnant before turning 18, contributing to 14% of maternal deaths. These pregnancies often trap young girls in cycles of poverty, ill health, and limited opportunities.
Dr. Mustapha painted a stark picture of the crisis: every year, Sierra Leone records 400,000 pregnancies, 150,000 of which are unintended. Of these, 60% end in illegal and unsafe terminations, resulting in severe complications or death in 80% of cases. “Every single day, we lose three to four women to conditions we can prevent,” she said. “This is unacceptable. It’s time to act.”
*A Humanitarian Cause, Not Just a Policy*
Standing beside Dr. Mustapha was Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor Bah, who brought a deeply personal perspective to the debate. He recounted the tragic loss of his 17-year-old cousin to unsafe termination, a story that left the room in silence.
“This is not just policy for me—it’s personal,” Minister Bah said. “The poor and vulnerable are the ones paying the ultimate price for the gaps in our healthcare system. We have a duty to protect them.”
The Minister urged Parliament to think about the lives at stake. “When we talk about this bill, we’re talking about real people—young women like my cousin—who could still be here if they had access to safe and dignified healthcare.”
*A Call to Conscience*
Dr. Mustapha’s closing plea resonated deeply. “The Safe Motherhood Bill isn’t just about legislation—it’s about humanity. How many more lives must we lose before we act?”
Her words left an indelible mark, urging lawmakers to rise above politics and deliver for the people they represent. This bill, she argued, isn’t just about solving a problem—it’s about giving women and girls in Sierra Leone a fighting chance at life, health, and dignity.
The choice before Parliament is clear: to act decisively and save lives or allow the preventable tragedies to continue. For Sierra Leone’s women and girls, the stakes have never been higher.