Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, has called on international partners to provide sustained financing and political support for the country’s Triple Zero Campaign, saying recent gains in maternal and child health must become lasting improvements in care.

Speaking at an event on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Dr. Austin Demby said the country has an opportunity to change the outlook for mothers and babies. “There couldn’t be a better time to change the narrative for mothers and babies in Sierra Leone than now,” he said.

The campaign advances President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s goals of zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths and zero children who have received no routine vaccinations. Dr. Austin Demby said sustained investment would be essential to making accountability and quality care part of everyday health services.

Chief Minister, Dr. David Sengeh, speaking on behalf of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the campaign. He said real-time health data is helping workers identify problems and respond in ways that could save the lives of mothers, newborns and children.

More than 200 days into the Government’s 300 Days of Activism, figures presented at the event showed maternal deaths 31 percent lower than during the comparable period last year and infant deaths down 11 percent. The campaign also reported reaching approximately 105 percent of its target for vaccinating children who had previously received no routine doses. These are campaign figures for the period under review, rather than final national mortality estimates.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mustapha Kabba, presented the progress behind the figures and outlined the challenge of maintaining the gains beyond the campaign’s 300 days.

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Director-General, Dr. Jean Kaseya, described the initiative as a milestone and pointed to Sierra Leone’s efforts as an example of progress for mothers and children on the continent.

Closing the event, Dr. Austin Demby pledged financial accountability and stronger community engagement. He said the campaign’s success would ultimately be measured by whether every patient could receive quality treatment with dignity and compassion, wherever they live in Sierra Leone. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/64871