By Emma Black
Sierra Leone has achieved a historic milestone in newborn healthcare, with the Special Care Baby Units (SCBUs) reporting an unprecedented 90–94% survival rate for small and sick newborns. Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Health Conference Hall, Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby hailed the achievement as a testament to years of sustained investment, innovation, and dedication by healthcare workers nationwide.”
Launched in 2017, SCBUs provide specialized care for preterm and critically ill infants. Recent data covering January to June 2025 shows that the national average survival rate now stands at 90%, a significant improvement from the 70% recorded eight years ago, surpassing the national target for neonatal outcomes.
This is a historic achievement, said Dr. Demby, over half of all SCBUs are meeting or exceeding the national average. Facilities in Koidu, Kabala, Kambia, Kailahun, and Bonthe lead the way with a 94% survival rate, while the Ola During Children’s Hospital continues to make steady progress. This reflects significant improvements in the quality of care for our most vulnerable newborns.”
The Ministry attributes the success to increased investments in clinical care, workforce training, equipment supply, and innovative interventions like Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) a low-cost, high-impact method involving continuous skin-to-skin contact between caregiver and infant. Between March and June 2025, 199 preterm or low birthweight babies received KMC, a dramatic rise from just 45 before the recent training interventions, resulting in survival rates of 98%.
All 17 SCBUs now report monthly data into the national DHIS2 health information system, enhancing monitoring, planning, and data-driven decision-making. Workforce capacity has also expanded, with 25 nurses graduating from the Post-Basic Certificate in Neonatal Nursing in March and 30 more midwives beginning training in May at key maternity hospitals.
The Ministry has also strengthened maternal health interventions, training 80 nurses and midwives in lifesaving postpartum hemorrhage management techniques and improving SCBU equipment functionality from 56% in 2024 to 70% in 2025.
These results show Sierra Leone is on the right path, Dr. Demby emphasized. Every newborn life saved brings us closer to our goal of ending preventable maternal and child deaths. Plans are underway to scale up KMC to all SCBUs by year-end and continue investments in training, equipment, and community engagement to sustain these gains.
On the subject of vaccine co-financing, Dr. Demby reassured the public that Sierra Leone remains a strong partner to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), the country has maintained over 90% coverage for all major vaccines over the past five years, earning recognition from both GAVI and UNICEF.
Sierra Leone has successfully introduced vaccines for malaria, cervical cancer, COVID-19, Ebola, and Marburg viruses, he said. President Julius Maada Bio was recently invited to deliver the keynote address at GAVI’s replenishment conference in Brussels, where Sierra Leone was recognized as a continental leader in vaccine delivery.
Dr. Demby confirmed that the Ministry of Finance has approved the payment of $823,000 in co-financing to GAVI, with funds set to be remitted in the coming days, ensuring the continuation of critical vaccination programs across the country.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday,15th August 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
