By Kadijatu Bangura, Daily Scope News
Sierra Leone has cut its maternal death rate sharply in recent years, but experts warn that too many women still face life-threatening risks in pregnancy and childbirth.
Isata Dumbuya, Director of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health at Partners in Health Sierra Leone, told a Ministry of Information press briefing on Tuesday, 4 May 2026, that midwives must be at the center of efforts to close remaining gaps.
“Maternal health is more than a medical statistic. It is a measure of national development,” Dumbuya said, noting that maternal mortality is widely seen as a barometer of a health system’s strength.
The country has improved from an estimated one death in every 17 childbirths to roughly one in 74 — a major gain, but still a high-risk profile, she said. Targeted interventions drove the progress, yet uneven access, quality of care, and delays in treatment continue to cost lives.
Dumbuya said midwives are pivotal to turning the curve. They provide antenatal care, detect complications early, manage emergencies during delivery, and deliver community health education that prevents avoidable deaths.
“Investing in midwifery is investing in the country’s future,” she said. “Skilled midwives mean safer births, healthier families, and stronger national development.”
To tackle workforce shortages, Sierra Leone is rolling out direct-entry degree programs in midwifery to boost both numbers and skills of birth attendants. She cited the Maternal Centre of Excellence in Kono as a model, combining advanced maternal and newborn services with hands-on training for health workers.
Still, late care-seeking remains a leading cause of death. Many women try self-medication or traditional remedies first and reach facilities only when complications are severe. Other hurdles include limited resources, poor distribution of trained staff, and low public trust in formal health services.
Dumbuya called for a two-track response: strengthen systems with more midwives, better-equipped facilities, and faster referrals, while driving community campaigns that promote early use of maternal services.
She urged policymakers to treat maternal health as a development priority, not just a health issue, arguing that the survival of mothers and newborns underpins Sierra Leone’s long-term growth.
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