The Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone is leveraging real-time health data to investigate and address maternal and child deaths as they occur. This approach is part of the Ministry's Triple Zero campaign, which aims to eliminate preventable maternal deaths, eliminate preventable child deaths, and reach zero children who have not received routine vaccinations. According to Deputy Minister of Health II, Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha, the Ministry now reviews maternal and child deaths weekly to identify contributing factors and determine whether deaths could have been prevented.
The real-time monitoring approach involves investigating each reported death and entering findings into a monitoring dashboard for district and national health teams to follow up on identified gaps and corrective measures. This approach is designed to address the limitations of relying mainly on periodic surveys, such as the Demographic and Health Survey, which is conducted on a five-year cycle and may not provide information quickly enough to respond to emerging health challenges.
The Triple Zero campaign has made significant progress, with maternal deaths declining by 31.3 percent during the campaign period, from 256 in 2025 to 176 in 2026, according to UNFPA. The Ministry has also reported a reduction in child deaths, with figures previously attributed to the Ministry indicating an 11.7 percent decline by Day 200. The campaign requires coordinated action involving government institutions, health workers, communities, development partners, and the private sector to address factors affecting maternal and child survival and vaccination coverage.
To strengthen the country's health information system, the Ministry introduced a National Health Information Hub in January, providing faster access to data on pregnancies, births, vaccinations, and deaths. This hub is expected to enhance the Ministry's ability to track and respond to health challenges in real-time. The use of real-time data has enabled the Ministry to identify gaps in healthcare delivery and address them promptly.
The Ministry's efforts to tackle maternal and child deaths have been commended by UNFPA, which has emphasized that sustaining the progress will require stronger health systems, accountability, and continued multisectoral collaboration. The Ministry's approach has been recognized as a best practice in addressing health challenges, and it is expected to inform similar initiatives in other countries.
The town hall marking 300 Days of Activism for Triple Zero, where Dr. Mustapha made these remarks, demonstrates the Ministry's commitment to engaging stakeholders and promoting accountability in the campaign. The event brought together various stakeholders, including government officials, health workers, and community leaders, to discuss progress and challenges in implementing the Triple Zero campaign.
As Sierra Leone continues to implement the Triple Zero campaign, the Ministry's use of real-time data is expected to play a critical role in achieving the campaign's goals. With continued support from stakeholders, including UNFPA and other development partners, the Ministry is optimistic that it can sustain progress and ultimately eliminate preventable maternal and child deaths in Sierra Leone.
Key points
- The Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone is using real-time data to investigate and prevent maternal and child deaths under its Triple Zero campaign.
- The campaign has made significant progress, with maternal deaths declining by 31.3 percent and child deaths declining by 11.7 percent.
- The Ministry's approach involves investigating each reported death and entering findings into a monitoring dashboard for district and national health teams to follow up on identified gaps and corrective measures.
