Freetown, Sierra Leone – March 4, 2026 – In a bold push to safeguard the lives of mothers and children, the Government of Sierra Leone, led by the Ministry of Health, has officially launched the nationwide “300 Days of Activism” initiative.
The campaign, unveiled on March 2, 2026, at the Miatta Conference Center in Freetown, aims to eliminate preventable maternal and child deaths while ensuring every child receives essential life-saving vaccines.
The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which focuses on good health and well-being, and builds on President Julius Maada Bio’s recent pledge at the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
During the summit in mid-February 2026, President Bio declared the 300-day activism period, calling on fellow African leaders and development partners to join Sierra Leone’s efforts to accelerate health service delivery for mothers and children.
He emphasized the need for urgency, stating, “The urgency is intentional. Too many maternal deaths continue to occur because known solutions are not applied consistently. The purpose of the 300 Days of Activism is to close that gap through discipline, accountability, and sustained political focus.”
At the heart of the campaign are the “Triple Zero” targets: zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable infant and child deaths, and zero zero-dose children—meaning no child misses out on critical vaccinations.
Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby, who spearheaded the launch, highlighted the campaign’s presidential backing and its focus on consolidating gains in maternal health. Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, who officially launched the event, stressed that success hinges on district-level execution, enhanced immunization coverage, skilled birth deliveries, and collective national action.
“This is a national movement to ensure every woman and child in Sierra Leone not only survives but thrives,” Sengeh said.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has pledged robust support, including resources for family planning, emergency obstetric care, and strengthened referral systems.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also joined the launch, underscoring the importance of strengthening primary health care (PHC) and district-led initiatives to leave no one behind. Civil society organizations and development partners, including those from the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, have rallied behind the effort, noting its potential to advance national commitments to immunization and healthcare equity.
Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has seen significant improvements in recent years, dropping by over 70% due to targeted health sector reforms. According to the latest UN estimates, the MMR stood at 354 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, down from 1,682 in 2000 and 422 in 2020.
