Dr Mustapha Kabba, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health, reassured Sierra Leoneans at a Lungi Civic Day town hall on May 19, 2026, that the country remains free of Ebola and outlined enhanced national preparedness measures in response to recent developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Dr Kabba told citizens, health workers, and local officials that the ministry is closely monitoring the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in collaboration with international and regional partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Although no Ebola cases are being recorded in Sierra Leone, Dr Kabba emphasised the importance of continued vigilance and strict hygiene practices. He stated that the Ministry of Health has already activated the national readiness and response plan to prevent any potential outbreaks, emphasising early detection, rapid response, and coordinated action at the national and district levels. The declaration of heightened preparedness calls for improved surveillance, rapid diagnostic capabilities, and community engagement to ensure that any suspected cases are identified and managed as soon as possible.
Dr Kabba used the platform not only to discuss infectious disease preparedness but also to highlight significant improvements in Sierra Leone’s healthcare system, particularly in maternal and child health, made possible by the government’s 300 Days of Activism campaign. The nationwide initiative, launched by President Julius Maada Bio in March 2026, aims to eliminate preventable maternal and child deaths while also addressing the issue of “zero-dose” children who have never received routine vaccinations.
The dramatic expansion of oxygen availability across government hospitals is a key component of the progress described by Dr Kabba. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the country only had one operational oxygen plant, in Kingtom. Sierra Leone now reportedly operates twelve oxygen plants that provide free oxygen to public health facilities, significantly increasing emergency care capacity and lifesaving treatment for patients in respiratory distress. The expansion of oxygen infrastructure is part of a larger initiative to improve clinical services.
The Deputy CMO also emphasised improvements to facility infrastructure and utilities. Major healthcare centres across the country are now solar-powered and have upgraded sanitation and hygiene systems, with the goal of improving service delivery, particularly in rural communities where reliable electricity and clean water have long been a challenge. These interventions aim to reduce care delays and improve outcomes for mothers and children who frequently travel long distances to access functional facilities.
Dr Kabba described the 300 Days of Activism as a “race to zero maternal mortality,” with a multisectoral, community-led approach at its centre. The campaign promotes regular antenatal visits, facility-based delivery, child vaccination, and the rehabilitation and construction of roads leading to health facilities to reduce transportation barriers. Governance and monitoring structures have been put in place at the ministry and district levels to ensure accountability and data-driven implementation.
Dr Kabba cited significant reductions in maternal mortality as evidence of the campaign’s early impact. He reported that the national maternal mortality ratio has dropped from 1,682 deaths per 100,000 live births to 354 per 100,000 live births, citing sustained government investment in health services and increased activism efforts. Within the first 70 days of the initiative, the Ministry has observed a significant reduction in maternal deaths when compared to the same period last year, where approximately 80 maternal deaths were recorded at this time last year; current figures show a dramatic decline.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Health intends to maintain increased Ebola surveillance while expanding maternal and child health interventions, accelerating immunisation outreach to eliminate zero-dose children, and expanding lifesaving infrastructure. Dr Kabba reiterated the need for continued community engagement, regular use of health services by pregnant women, and adherence to hygiene practices, emphasising the importance of collective action in protecting public health and consolidating recent gains.
