By Rose Aba Akafo 

Sierra Leone has made significant progress in reducing maternal deaths over the last two decades, with maternal mortality falling from 1,682 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 354 in 2023. Despite this improvement, the country still records one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.

To address this challenge, the government has committed to reducing maternal deaths to fewer than 70 per 100,000 live births in the coming years. However, health experts say achieving that target will require sustained investments in healthcare infrastructure, stronger partnerships, and improved access to quality maternal health services.

One of the major barriers to safe childbirth remains the condition of health facilities and the long distances many pregnant women must travel to access care. Poorly equipped facilities often discourage women from attending antenatal clinics or delivering under the supervision of skilled health workers.

Recognizing these challenges, Orange Foundation and UBA Foundation have joined efforts to improve maternal healthcare services for residents in York village and its surrounding communities along the Freetown peninsula.

On May 28, hundreds of pregnant women, lactating mothers, health workers, community leaders, and development partners gathered at the York community health centre for the official commissioning of a newly refurbished maternity ward.

The project included the provision of delivery beds, postnatal beds, oxygen equipment, baby care kits, and other essential medical equipment. The facility also now benefits from an improved WASH facility, creating a safer environment for mothers and newborns.

For residents of York, the transformation marks a major step forward.

Dancing with her baby in her arms during the ceremony, Isatu, a lactating mother, said this improvement would make a huge difference.

“We used to have issues with the dilapidated ward, but those issues have been resolved. We now have everything we need,” she said. “I am very happy with the improvements and hope services will continue to improve.”

Jami Sia Konima, the midwife and sister-in-charge at York community health centre, said the upgraded ward would enable health workers to provide better care and accommodate more women seeking maternal health services.

“We are now able to serve more women and provide them with better access to maternal healthcare services,” Konima said. “We are committed to maintaining these resources so they continue to benefit women who come here for care.”

She added that their goal remains to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

“Our goal is to ensure that mothers and babies receive the care they deserve and that we reduce preventable deaths,” she said.

Speaking at the ceremony, Annie Wonnie Kata, director of Orange Foundation, said the initiative was inspired by a visit to the facility in October last year.

“When we visited the maternity ward, we realised it required urgent upgrading,” she said. “No woman should die while giving birth, especially from causes that are preventable.”

Kata explained that Orange Foundation subsequently partnered with UBA Foundation and the MaMa-Pikin Foundation to mobilise resources for the refurbishment.

“We share a common vision of improving the health and safety of our population,” she said. “By combining our resources, we renovated the maternity ward, provided new hospital beds, delivery beds, an oxygen machine, and other essential medical equipment.”

She noted that the foundation continues to work with health facilities across Sierra Leone to identify critical needs and support interventions that improve maternal and child healthcare.

Representing UBA Sierra Leone, Managing Director Mohamed Alhajie Samoura said the bank allocates one percent of its profits annually to community development initiatives, with healthcare among its priority areas.

“We believe that investing in healthcare is investing in the future of our communities,” Samoura said.

For community leaders, the upgraded facility addresses long-standing concerns over maternal healthcare access in York.

Community Headman Judrick Pratt recalled that women previously faced significant risks when seeking maternity care at the health centre.

“The facility was not adequately equipped for safe deliveries, and that affected both mothers and babies,” he said.

Pratt said the improvements have restored confidence among women in the community and neighbouring villages.

“Women now have access to clean water and improved facilities. The changes are significant, and we deeply appreciate them,” he said. “I believe this will encourage more women to seek maternal care here as it will have a lasting positive impact on them.”

Delivering the keynote address, the District Medical Officer for Western Rural District, Dr. Prince Masuba, commended Orange Foundation, UBA Foundation, and their partners for supporting maternal healthcare.

He described the initiative as a significant contribution to improving healthcare services for women and children and advancing Sierra Leone’s efforts to reduce maternal and newborn deaths.

As Sierra Leone works toward achieving its maternal health targets by 2030, partnerships between government, development organisations, and the private sector are increasingly being recognised as essential to ensuring that more women have access to antenatal care, skilled deliveries, and quality postnatal care.