The Issue
Every day, preventable deaths steal futures
The Crisis of Maternal and Infant Mortality in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone has one of the highest maternal and newborn mortality rates in the world. Every day, women lose their lives to complications during pregnancy and childbirth—complications that could be prevented with timely and adequate care. This is not only a medical issue, but also a human/social one: it is about dignity, justice, and the fundamental right to life.
1 in 280 women
die every year in Sierra Leone from pregnancy-related causes.
3 women
and 34 newborns lose their lives during childbirth every day.
70% of these deaths
could be prevented with skilled care and timely medical support.
Why Sierra Leone?
Sierra Leone is a small country in West Africa – but it faces one of the world’s highest rates of maternal and newborn deaths.
Here, childbirth is not only a moment of joy but also one of the greatest risks a woman can face. By focusing our work where the need is greatest, we can promote safe births and change futures.
The Root Cause
Maternal and infant deaths in Sierra Leone are more than statistics – they are preventable tragedies. Knowing the numbers, causes, and human stories shows why urgent action is needed.
Lack of Skilled Midwives
In rural areas, trained birth attendants are scarce.
Weak Infrastructure
Many health facilities lack electricity, running water, or even basic equipment.
Poverty & Distance
Women often walk for hours to reach medical help – if it exists at all.
Lack of Awareness
Traditional beliefs and misinformation put mothers and babies at additional risk.
Poor Roads & Transportation
Delays in reaching hospitals increase the danger for mothers in labor.
Inadequate Education System
Limited schooling leaves women without knowledge of their health rights.
Gender Inequality & Superstition
Cultural expectations and harmful beliefs add to the risks women face.
Maternal deaths 2016–2019
In all 13 districts of Sierra Leone, 2428 maternal deaths were recorded and analyzed.
- Severe bleeding (hemorrhage)
- Hypertensive disorders (during pregnancy, childbirth, puerperium)
- Pregnancy-related infections
- Other complications, including unsafe abortions
Source: BMJ (2024), Maternal Death Surveillance and Response Data, Sierra Leone (2016–2019)
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Why It Matters to All of Us
A safe birth is a human right. When mothers survive, families thrive and communities grow stronger. This crisis may seem far away, but it reflects global inequalities that we can and must change—through education, commitment, and concrete action on the ground.
