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

On April 7, 2025, Sierra Leone commemorated World Health Day with WHO, focusing on reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths. Key speakers, including Dr. George Ameh and Dr. Austin Demby, highlighted significant reductions in mortality rates and outlined ongoing commitments to maternal health. The campaign will feature various interventions to promote health throughout the year, underscoring a collective commitment to the well-being of women and newborns.

On April 7, 2025, Sierra Leone commemorated World Health Day in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.” This event marked a commitment to strengthening systems and partnerships to ensure the survival and thriving of every woman and newborn. It aimed to accelerate progress in reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths and officially launched a year-long Maternal and Newborn Health Campaign focused on the sub-theme “Tackling the Public Health Emergency of Preventable Maternal and Child Mortality.”

The gathering included health stakeholders, senior officials from the Ministry of Health, and members of the donor community. Dr. George Ameh, WHO Country Representative, commended Sierra Leone for significant progress in reducing maternal and newborn deaths, noting a 78% decline since 2000. He emphasized that World Health Day coincides with WHO’s 77th anniversary and stressed the need to maintain momentum to ensure that no women or newborns are overlooked.

Dr. Austin Demby presented recent findings by the UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group, highlighting the country’s achievement in lowering maternal mortality from 443 to 354 per 100,000 live births between 2020 and 2023. He expressed the government’s commitment to sustaining these gains and outlined the importance of a healthy start for mothers and children in building prosperous futures.

Dr. Demby remarked on the government’s accountability measures, including a structured response to maternal and child mortality supported by WHO. He also discussed the introduction of the Prestrack mechanism to track pregnancies as a crucial step towards enhancing maternal health. Furthermore, he reiterated the government’s dedication to supporting WHO and partners in delivering essential health services in Sierra Leone.

Throughout the year, WHO and partner organizations will implement targeted interventions such as community outreach and health worker training as part of the campaign. Additionally, WHO collaborated with the Sierra Leone Blood Bank to mobilize blood supplies for mothers in emergency situations, which is crucial for life-saving interventions during childbirth.

Sierra Leone’s recognition of World Health Day 2025 underscores its commitment to improving maternal and neonatal health. The government’s efforts in reducing mortality rates demonstrate significant progress, driven by collaboration with WHO and international partners. Ensuring the health of mothers and newborns remains a top priority, with initiatives designed to sustain and enhance these achievements, ultimately aiming for a healthier future for all.

Original Source: www.afro.who.int