By Mamajah Jalloh
The Director of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) at Partners In Health Sierra Leone, Madam Isata Dumbuya, has disclosed that Sierra Leone has made significant progress in reducing maternal mortality rates over the years.
Speaking during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press conference held on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, at the Miatta Conference Centre, Youyi Building in Freetown, Madam Dumbuya revealed that the country has moved from recording one maternal death in every 17 childbirth cases to one in every 74.
She described the achievement as a major improvement, while noting that more work still needs to be done to further reduce maternal deaths across the country.
An experienced midwifery expert with over twenty-five years in the health sector, Madam Dumbuya emphasized that maternal health remains one of the most important indicators of national development within the healthcare system.
“If maternal health is improving, it means the health sector is developing,” she stated.
She stressed the critical role midwives continue to play in reducing maternal mortality in Sierra Leone and called for increased investment in maternal healthcare services, as well as greater public trust in health facilities.
“They will not ask how many people die from asthma or heart disease. They will ask how many women die during childbirth,” she said, adding that maternal mortality reflects the strength and effectiveness of a country’s healthcare system.
Madam Dumbuya explained that midwives are central to ensuring safe pregnancies and successful deliveries, while also providing essential care for newborn babies.
She further disclosed that new academic pathways have now been introduced to allow students to directly pursue degrees in midwifery as part of efforts to increase the number of skilled healthcare professionals in the country.
The RMNCAH Director also urged women to seek early and timely medical attention during pregnancy, warning against delays caused by self-medication and reliance on traditional remedies.
“Many people try different options before going to the hospital, and by the time they arrive, it is often too late,” she cautioned.
Madam Dumbuya highlighted the Maternal Centre of Excellence in Kono as a model healthcare facility providing quality maternal and neonatal services, alongside training opportunities for healthcare workers.
She concluded by stressing that improving maternal healthcare is not only a medical concern but a national priority, noting that healthy mothers and children are essential for Sierra Leone’s future growth and development.
