New 120-Bed Hospital in Sierra Leone Gives Hope for Maternal Care

On October 25, 2025, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio opened a new Maternal Center of Excellence in Koidu City, Kono District, as part of efforts to reduce the number of women dying during childbirth in Sierra Leone.

The new center, built in partnership with Partners In Health (PIH), replaces the old Koidu Government Hospital. It has expanded from 48 to 120 beds, increased operating rooms from one to three, and now includes the first-ever Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in a rural area of Sierra Leone. The facility will also serve as a training ground for doctors, nurses, and midwives, helping to strengthen maternal and child health services across the country.

During the launch President Bio described the project as a “foundation for life itself,” saying it reflects his government’s commitment to giving every mother and child a better chance to live. He added, “Every mother deserves safety, every child deserves a chance, and every Sierra Leonean deserves to live in health and dignity.”

One of the wards at the New Kono Maternal Center of Excellence

The President noted that maternal deaths in Sierra Leone have dropped by more than 70 percent over the past two decades. He said the country’s maternal mortality rate has fallen from 717 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019 to 354 today, and the government aims to reduce it to below 70 by 2030. He also highlighted that immunization coverage is now among the highest in West Africa.

President Bio thanked Partners In Health, Build Health International, and other global partners for their support. He paid tribute to Dr. Paul Farmer, the late co-founder of PIH, whose belief that “health care is a human right” continues to guide global health efforts.

He also praised Kono’s transformation, saying the district is now becoming known “not just for its diamonds, but for the sparkle of life, health, and hope.”

Drone shot of The New Kono Maternal Center of Excellence

The event was attended by government officials, development partners, traditional leaders, and local authorities. They all promised to continue working together to improve healthcare for women and children across Sierra Leone.

According to the United Nations, Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality rate dropped from 443 to 354 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2020 and 2023, bringing the country closer to its target of reducing the rate below 300 by 2025.

The new Kono Maternal Center of Excellence stands as a sign of progress and hope, showing Sierra Leone’s growing success in saving mothers’ and babies’ lives.