By Mohamed Lamin Banya
Rehabilitated maternity and fistula wards at the Makeni Regional Hospital have been officially handed over following support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Embassy of Iceland.
The handover ceremony took place on Tuesday, 13th May 2026, and brought together health officials, hospital management, and development partners aimed at strengthening maternal and reproductive healthcare services in Sierra Leone.
The project is expected to improve access to quality maternal care for women and fistula patients in Bombali District and surrounding communities, while contributing to national efforts to reduce maternal mortality.
Medical Superintendent of Makeni Regional Hospital, Dr Joseph Kamanda Sesay, expressed appreciation to UNFPA and the Government of Iceland for their support. He noted that the hospital recorded 4,319 maternity deliveries in 2025 and serves over 527,000 people in the district and nearby areas.
He said the upgraded facilities would improve dignity, patient care, and treatment outcomes for mothers and fistula patients.
The District Medical Officer of Bombali District also praised the partnership, noting that Makeni Regional Hospital handles one of the highest numbers of maternity and Caesarean section cases in Sierra Leone, after the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital.
He stressed the importance of maintaining the new facilities for sustainable healthcare delivery.
Representatives from UNFPA and the Embassy of Iceland reaffirmed their commitment to supporting maternal health services in Sierra Leone. The UNFPA representative said the organisation currently supports over 15 health facilities nationwide to reduce fistula cases and strengthen healthcare systems.
The Icelandic representative said gender equality remains a key priority for Iceland’s development cooperation and highlighted the importance of restoring dignity for women affected by obstetric fistula.
The Director of Reproductive Health and Family Planning described the project as a major milestone in improving maternal healthcare services nationwide.
The Matron of Makeni Regional Hospital thanked partners for the support but called for further assistance, noting that the maternity ward is operating at about 200% capacity with only 36 beds and an average of 400 deliveries per month. She also appealed for the rehabilitation of the old hospital building into a dedicated maternity facility.
Hospital management and stakeholders expressed gratitude to all partners for their continued support in improving maternal and reproductive healthcare services in Sierra Leone.
