The Orange Sierra Leone Foundation, in partnership with the UBA Foundation and the Mama-Pikin Foundation, has reinforced efforts to improve maternal and neonatal healthcare delivery in Sierra Leone following the successful refurbishment of a maternal health facility in York Village, Western Rural District.
The upgraded labour ward and post-natal clinic, officially commissioned on Thursday, 28 May 2026, are expected to significantly improve access to quality healthcare services for pregnant women, nursing mothers and newborn babies in the community.
The intervention forms part of the Orange Sierra Leone Foundation’s continued commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainable community development, with a strong focus on improving healthcare outcomes across underserved communities.
The newly refurbished facility has been equipped with essential modern medical infrastructure aimed at enhancing service delivery and improving patient care. Among the critical equipment provided are modern delivery beds, post-natal beds, an oxygen machine and other vital medical tools intended to strengthen maternal and neonatal healthcare services.
Speaking during the handing-over ceremony, Director of the Orange Sierra Leone Foundation, Annie Wonnie Katta, disclosed that the intervention was informed by findings from a needs assessment conducted by the Foundation in October 2025. According to her, the assessment identified serious infrastructural and equipment challenges affecting maternal healthcare delivery at the facility.
She explained that in response to the urgent healthcare needs identified, the Orange Sierra Leone Foundation moved swiftly to establish strategic partnerships aimed at implementing a lasting solution. Annie Wonnie Katta further revealed that a formal collaboration with the UBA Foundation was established in February 2026 to support the implementation of what she described as a high-impact healthcare intervention for the York community.
Orange Sierra Leone Chief Executive Officer, Aicha Touré, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving lives through impactful and sustainable community investments, particularly within the health sector. She emphasized that Orange Sierra Leone remains dedicated to supporting initiatives capable of creating meaningful social impact and improving the quality of life for vulnerable communities.
Similarly, Chief Executive Officer of UBA Sierra Leone, Mohamed Alhajie Samoura, described the project as a meaningful and transformative investment in the lives of women and families in York Village. He noted that UBA remains committed to giving back to communities through strategic social interventions.
Mohamed Alhajie Samoura disclosed that UBA dedicates one percent of its annual profits to community development programmes, adding that healthcare continues to remain one of the institution’s major priority areas because of its direct impact on lives and national development.
Delivering the keynote address, the District Medical Officer, Dr. Prince Masuba, commended the collaborative effort between the Orange Sierra Leone Foundation, UBA Foundation and the Mama-Pikin Foundation. He described the intervention as timely and highly significant, stressing that it would substantially strengthen maternal and child healthcare services within the district.
Dr. Prince Masuba further emphasized the importance of partnerships in addressing healthcare challenges, noting that government efforts alone may not be sufficient to meet all healthcare demands, particularly in remote and underserved communities.
The Mama-Pikin Foundation, which has been actively involved in maternal and child healthcare services since 2008, continues to play a pivotal role in supporting healthcare delivery and improving outcomes for women and children in the York community and beyond.
Residents and local stakeholders have warmly welcomed the intervention, describing it as a major boost to maternal and neonatal healthcare in the area. Community health authorities also reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the facility and ensuring the effective use of the newly installed medical infrastructure for the benefit of mothers and children.
The refurbishment project further underscores Orange Sierra Leone’s dedication to implementing impactful Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives that create lasting social benefits. Together with its partners, the telecommunications company remains committed to promoting inclusive development and improving the health and well-being of communities across Sierra Leone.
