By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay, Strategic Communications Adviser
The Ministry of Health has announced a new partnership with Paramount Chiefs across Sierra Leone to strengthen community action against maternal and child deaths through the introduction of local bye-laws aimed at improving healthcare access and immunization uptake.
The initiative forms part of the government’s ongoing “300 Days of Activism for Triple Zero Campaign,” which seeks to eliminate preventable maternal deaths, preventable child deaths, and reduce the number of zero-dose children in the country.
Speaking during a special town hall engagement in Lungi, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mustapha Kabba, described the collaboration as a critical part of the government’s multi-sectoral approach to improving maternal and child health outcomes nationwide.
“As a ministry, we know we cannot achieve this alone,” Dr. Kabba said. “To provide quality healthcare services for everyone, we need good roads to medical facilities, reliable energy supply, access to water, and strong community support structures.”
He said the Ministry has already engaged Paramount Chiefs across the country, many of whom have committed to introducing community bye-laws that encourage pregnant women to seek medical care early and consistently.
“We are working closely with councils and Paramount Chiefs because local leadership is essential in achieving our goals,” he added. “The chiefs have committed to establishing bye-laws that will support maternal and child healthcare in their communities.”
Under the proposed bye-laws, pregnant women will be encouraged to attend antenatal care visits regularly, with at least eight clinic visits expected before delivery. The measures will also promote routine immunization and postnatal healthcare services for children.
Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, said the partnership demonstrates the importance of collective national action in addressing preventable deaths.
“We all should take action to get to zero,” he said. “As community leaders, nurses, midwives, fathers, and mothers, we all have a responsibility to ensure that no child dies from a preventable condition and no child is left behind.”
Government officials say the intervention represents one of the strongest community-led public health mobilization efforts since the role traditional leaders played during the Ebola response.
Dr. Kabba credited the campaign’s momentum to the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio and the commitment of Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby.
Launched more than 70 days ago, Dr. Kabba said the 300 Days of Activism campaign is already producing positive results, especially in behavioral change within remote communities.
