By Foday Moriba Conteh

Sierra Leone’s Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) survival rate has reached an unprecedented 90–94%, marking a major milestone in the country’s drive to improve newborn health. Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Health Conference Hall, Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby hailed the achievement as “a testament to years of sustained investment, innovation and commitment from healthcare workers across the country.”

Launched in 2017, SCBUs provide specialized care for small and sick newborns. Data from January to June 2025 shows the national average survival rate now stands at 90%, surpassing the long-standing national target and significantly improving from the 70% rate recorded eight years ago.

“This is a historic achievement,” Dr. Austin Demby said. “Over half of all SCBUs are meeting or exceeding the national average. Facilities in Koidu, Kabala, Kambia, Kailahun and Bonthe are leading with a 94% survival rate, while the Ola During Children’s Hospital is making steady progress. This shows that our quality of care for small and sick newborns has improved significantly, surpassing our national target by a greater margin.”

The Minister credited the success to increased investments in clinical care, health worker training, equipment supply, quality data management and newborn-focused innovations such as Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) a low-cost, high-impact method involving continuous skin-to-skin contact between caregiver and baby. Between March and June 2025, 199 preterm or low birth weight babies received KMC up from just 45 before recent training investments resulting in survival rates of 98%.

All 17 SCBUs are now uploading monthly data into the national DHIS2 health information system, enabling better monitoring and planning. Workforce capacity has also grown, with 25 nurses graduating from the Post-Basic Certificate in Neonatal Nursing in March and 30 more beginning training in May, including midwives from key maternity hospitals.

The Ministry has further expanded maternal health interventions, training 80 nurses and midwives in lifesaving postpartum hemorrhage control techniques and improving the functionality of SCBU equipment from 56% in 2024 to 70% in 2025.

“These results show that Sierra Leone is on the right path,” Dr. Demby said. “Every newborn life saved is a step closer to our goal of ending preventable maternal and child deaths.”

The Ministry plans to scale up KMC to all SCBUs by the end of the year and continue investments in training, equipment and community engagement to sustain and surpass those gains.

The Minister used the opportunity to comment on the recent concerns regarding Sierra Leone’s co-financing obligations to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).

Dr. Austin Demby stressed that Sierra Leone remains one of GAVI’s strongest partners, having consistently maintained over 90% coverage for all major vaccines over the past five years; a record that recently earned commendations from both GAVI and UNICEF.

“We have successfully introduced several new vaccines for malaria, cervical cancer, COVID-19, Ebola and Marburg viruses,” Dr. Austin Demby noted, adding that President Julius Maada Bio was invited to deliver the keynote address at GAVI’s replenishment conference in Brussels, where Sierra Leone was recognized as a continental leader in vaccine delivery.

He emphasized that Sierra Leone has a strong track record of meeting all co-financing commitments, a factor that has helped secure over $17 million in grants for vaccines and delivery in the next three years.

Dr. Austin Demby concluded by stating that the Ministry of Finance has already approved payment of the $823,000 co-financing amount to GAVI, with checks prepared and set to be remitted “in the next few days.” https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/sierra-leone-achieves-historic-90-survival-rate-for-newborns-in-special-care-baby-units/