Sierra Leone Seeks Sustained Support for Triple Zero Health Campaign

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, has called on international partners to provide sustained financing and political support for the country’s Triple Zero Campaign.

Demby made the appeal at an event held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where officials reviewed reported progress under the initiative and discussed the importance of maintaining momentum.

The campaign is built around three goals linked to President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s health agenda: zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths and zero children who have received no routine vaccinations.

Reported progress

The initiative is being implemented alongside the Government’s 300 Days of Activism. When the figures were presented, the programme had passed more than 200 days of activity.

Campaign figures showed reported maternal deaths were 31 percent lower than in the comparable period of the previous year. Reported infant deaths were 11 percent lower, while vaccination of children who had previously received no routine doses was reported at approximately 105 percent of target.

The figures relate to the campaign period under review and are not final national mortality estimates. The underlying absolute numbers and the original vaccination target were not provided.

Dr. Mustapha Kabba, the Chief Medical Officer, presented the progress figures and outlined the challenge of preserving the gains after the 300-day campaign ends.

Government commitment

Dr. David Sengeh, Chief Minister, speaking on behalf of President Bio, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the campaign. He said real-time health data was helping health workers identify problems and respond in ways that could save the lives of mothers, newborns and children.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, described the initiative as a milestone and pointed to Sierra Leone’s efforts as an example of progress for mothers and children across Africa.

“There couldn’t be a better time to change the narrative for mothers and babies in Sierra Leone than now,” Demby said.

The minister said the campaign’s success would ultimately be measured by whether every patient could receive quality treatment with dignity and compassion, regardless of where they live in Sierra Leone.

In closing the event, Demby pledged financial accountability and stronger community engagement. He also said sustained investment would be essential to making accountability and quality care part of everyday health services.