Freetown, May 11, 2026 — Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Bio, on Monday announced the signing of a significant agreement with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) to build the Emine Erdogan Mother and Child Hospital in Bo City.
The signing ceremony took place at State House, marking a key step in efforts to strengthen maternal and child healthcare in the southern region. The initiative stems from earlier discussions between Bio and Türkiye’s First Lady, Emine Erdogan, during the Zero Waste Forum in Istanbul.
Speaking after the event, Fatima Bio described the hospital as the direct result of her promise to deliver concrete outcomes from her international engagements.
“As a mother of this nation, my work will not end here,” she said, reaffirming her commitment to advancing women’s empowerment and protecting girls across the country.
Sierra Leone has made notable progress in health outcomes over the past two decades, but challenges remain acute. Maternal mortality has fallen sharply from 1,682 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 354 in 2023. Infant mortality currently stands between 55 and 68 per 1,000 live births, while under-five mortality hovers around 90 per 1,000. The new specialized hospital is expected to help accelerate improvements, particularly in Bo and surrounding districts.
Bio expressed deep appreciation to Emine Erdogan for what she called a “historic and generous gesture,” and thanked TİKA along with local leaders, including the Mayor of Bo, the Bo District Council Chairman, and the Resident Minister of the South, for their support in advancing the project.
She also acknowledged President Julius Maada Bio for enabling her public service role and called on citizens to maintain confidence in his administration.
The Emine Erdogan Mother and Child Hospital is anticipated to become a major addition to Sierra Leone’s healthcare infrastructure, offering enhanced services for mothers and children in a region where access to quality care has long been limited. Construction is expected to begin in the coming months.
