By Kadiatu Sankoh
Freetown, Sierra Leone, Tuesday, 8th September 2025 –
Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, has announced remarkable progress in Sierra Leone’s health sector, citing a major shift from disease-based interventions to a patient-centered, life-stage approach that prioritizes universal health coverage.
Speaking at the weekly government press briefing held at the Miatta Conference Centre, Dr. Demby revealed that Sierra Leone has achieved a 76% reduction in maternal mortality, one of the fastest declines globally. Infant survival has also improved significantly, while vaccination coverage remains consistently above 95% over the last five years.
He further disclosed that the country has made major strides in tackling Mpox. “From over 5,200 reported cases at the peak, we are now recording single-digit cases daily, with several days of zero cases nationwide,” the Minister stated.
On human resources, Dr. Demby confirmed that 5,000 new health workers have already been recruited, and an additional 3,000 positions are now open through a transparent electronic recruitment portal. This system, developed with the Health Service Commission and HRMO, ensures that only qualified candidates are considered—ending the old practice of influence-based recruitment.
“This is an exciting opportunity to build a competent and professional health workforce, based purely on merit,” Dr. Demby emphasized, adding that the reforms are part of the government’s commitment to universal health coverage and improved service delivery.
He thanked President Julius Maada Bio and the Ministry of Finance for their continued support in financing these reforms, noting that Sierra Leone is “on the right path to delivering quality healthcare for every citizen.”