By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
In a major stride toward improving maternal and child health outcomes, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with District Medical Officers (DMOs) and Medical Superintendents, has officially signed a comprehensive resolution on Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR). The resolution was unanimously adopted at the two-day MPDSR Steering Committee meeting held on April 8–9 at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders from across the health sector, including the WHO, district health leadership, partners and development agencies, to reaffirm national commitment to reducing preventable maternal and perinatal deaths.
The newly adopted resolution places clear emphasis on leadership and accountability at the district level. DMOs and Medical Superintendents are now mandated to take full ownership of the MPDSR process in their districts. This includes the prompt notification of maternal deaths to the Incident Management System and the Chief Medical Officer, along with leading thorough investigations and clinical reviews.
Investigations must now be completed within 72 hours for hospitals and within seven days for Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) and communities. Reviews must follow within a week of any maternal or perinatal death, aiming to identify causes and outline corrective actions.
Under the resolution, weekly national MPDSR discussions will be held with district-level participation to ensure real-time response and data utilization. Quality improvement plans based on MPDSR findings will be implemented and monitored across all districts. Monthly multidisciplinary meetings, including the review of near-miss cases, are now mandatory to encourage learning and the adoption of best practices.
These meetings will adhere to a strict code of anonymity, confidentiality and non-blame to foster open discussion and systemic improvement.
The resolution underscores the efficient use of human, material and financial resources and calls for increased engagement with development partners, district councils, community leaders and civil society to sustain MPDSR activities.
George Ameh, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Sierra Leone, praised the initiative and the collaborative spirit of the health leaders present. “It’s my first time witnessing such inclusive participation from all District Medical Officers and I am inspired,” he said. He applauded frontline health workers for their relentless efforts in reducing maternal mortality and emphasized that district-level leadership is crucial to achieving further progress.
He also noted the timeliness of the meeting, coinciding with World Health Day celebration week and recent maternal deaths in one district that underline the urgency of the resolution. He assured the Ministry of continued WHO support in resource mobilization and strategic collaboration with UN agencies to ensure the resolution’s implementation.
The Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sartie M. Kanneh, in his closing remarks, stressed Sierra Leone’s global role in the child survival agenda. He highlighted the need for improved district-level data reporting to elevate Sierra Leone’s visibility on international platforms.
“Our initiatives are being replicated by other countries but we remain underrepresented due to gaps in data contribution from districts,” Dr. Sartie Kanneh noted. He pointed out that the President is expected to champion the maternal mortality agenda, with Sierra Leone preparing to showcase its achievements at an upcoming high-level event in Maputo.
He also cited practical examples of low-cost but impactful reforms, such as decentralizing antenatal care appointments throughout the week to improve service delivery. The Chief Medical Officer urged unified collaboration among the Ministry, district teams and partners to meet international expectations and the 2030 goals of eliminating preventable maternal and perinatal deaths.
The resolution marks a critical turning point in Sierra Leone’s journey to ending preventable maternal and perinatal deaths. With stronger leadership, improved accountability and a renewed sense of urgency, the Ministry of Health and its partners are setting a clear path toward safer births and healthier communities.
The full implementation of the MPDSR framework will not only enhance the quality of healthcare delivery but also position Sierra Leone as a model for other countries striving to achieve their maternal and child health targets.
