By: Zacharia Jalloh, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
The Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health, Dr Mustapha Kabba, has assured citizens that Sierra Leone remains free of Ebola, while emphasizing that the government is actively strengthening national preparedness measures in response to developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Speaking during the Lungi Civic Day Townhall on the 19th May 2026, Dr Kabba said the Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the Ebola situation in Congo in collaboration with international and regional health institutions, including the World Health Organization(WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
He urged citizens to remain vigilant and continue observing proper hygiene practices, noting that although Sierra Leone has not recorded any Ebola case, the Ministry has already activated its national readiness and response plan to prevent any possible outbreak.
Dr Kabba also used the platform to highlight significant progress made in Sierra Leone’s healthcare system, particularly in maternal and child healthcare under the government’s ongoing 300 Days of Activism campaign.
According to him, before the COVID-19 pandemic, Sierra Leone had only one oxygen plant located in Kingtom. Today, the country boasts twelve oxygen plants supplying free oxygen to government hospitals across the nation, greatly improving emergency healthcare delivery.
He further stated that major healthcare facilities across the country are solar-powered, have good sanitation, and proper hygiene in order to strengthen healthcare services, especially in rural communities.
Dr Kabba further revealed that Sierra Leone has achieved a remarkable reduction in maternal mortality, dropping from 1,682 deaths per 100,000 live births to 354 deaths per 100,000 live births, a milestone he described as a testament to sustained government investment in healthcare.
Dr Kabba explained that the 300 Days of Activism initiative seeks to ensure that no pregnant woman dies from preventable causes while seeking medical attention. He described the campaign as a “race to zero maternal mortality,” driven through a multisectoral and community-led approach.
The campaign encourages pregnant women to regularly visit hospitals and clinics, promotes child vaccination, and supports infrastructural improvements such as the construction and rehabilitation of roads leading to healthcare facilities.
He added that the initiative has established governance and monitoring structures at both ministry and district levels to ensure effective implementation and accountability.
Highlighting early successes of the campaign, Dr Kabba disclosed that within the first 70 days of implementation, maternal deaths have significantly reduced compared to the same period last year. “By this time in the previous year, about 80 maternal deaths had been recorded, but current figures show a drastic decline” he said.
The nationwide campaign was officially launched by Julius Maada Bio in March 2026 and is aimed at achieving zero preventable maternal and child deaths, as well as eliminating the number of “zero-dose” children (children who have never received routine vaccinations).
The initiative continues to prioritize rapid healthcare delivery, community engagement, and data-driven interventions as Sierra Leone intensifies efforts to strengthen its healthcare system and save lives.
