By Mohamed Lamin Banya
The Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, has announced that the first 100 days of the government’s 300 Days of Activism campaign have recorded significant progress in maternal and child healthcare.
He disclosed that maternal mortality has reduced by 31 percent, while infant mortality has declined by 11 percent. He further stated that about 5,000 children who had not previously received routine vaccinations have now been identified and vaccinated, representing a 55 percent increase in new childhood vaccinations and reducing the number of zero-dose children by nearly half.
Dr. Demby attributed these achievements to strong collaboration among healthcare workers, traditional leaders, local authorities, communities, development partners, mothers, and families across the country.
The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to achieving zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths, and universal protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.
He stressed that the next phase of the campaign will focus on intensive community-level interventions to ensure that every mother and child receives essential healthcare services, and called for continued support from citizens, civil society, journalists, and development partners.
Dr. Demby also highlighted major investments in the health sector, noting that 18 of the country’s 20 major hospitals are now energy-independent through solar power systems developed in partnership with the Ministry of Energy.
He added that Connaught Hospital is currently powered by a 1.2-megawatt solar energy system, while about 380 health facilities nationwide have also been equipped with solar installations.
The Minister further announced plans for the construction of a 300-bed hospital in Kerry Town, a modern cancer diagnosis and treatment centre, and a large-scale oxygen production facility to strengthen healthcare delivery in the Western Area.
