Sierra Leone Welcomes 126 Newly Trained Midwives to Boost Maternal Healthcare

On November 13, 2026, Sierra Leone's Ministry of Health marked a significant milestone with the graduation of 126 midwifery professionals in Bo. The graduating class comprises 92 midwives from the School of Midwifery Bo and 34 graduates of the Preceptorship Programme from the Schools of Midwifery in Bo and Kenema. Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby addressed the graduates, emphasizing that the event represents a direct investment in saving lives and advancing safer motherhood across the country.

Minister Demby highlighted that every skilled midwife represents an opportunity to save a life, and expanding access to skilled birth attendants remains central to accelerating Sierra Leone's progress toward eliminating preventable maternal and neonatal deaths. The Ministry noted that this year's ceremony was significant, as it included the graduation of the country's inaugural cohort of Direct Entry Midwifery students alongside the Preceptorship Programme graduates.

The inclusion of the Direct Entry pathway is a transformative advancement in Sierra Leone's midwifery education system, designed to fast-track professional training, deepen clinical competence, and increase the availability of qualified personnel across underserved communities. This development is expected to enhance the quality of care provided to mothers and newborns nationwide.

Minister Demby underscored that investing in human resources for health remains a critical pillar of the government's broader strategy to transform healthcare delivery nationwide. He reminded the new inductees that their qualifications carry profound responsibility, noting that timely, compassionate, and high-quality care often marks the difference between life and death in the delivery room.

The Minister charged the graduates to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, compassion, ethical conduct, and respect for the dignity and rights of every woman and newborn entrusted to their care. With the deployment of these 126 skilled professionals, Sierra Leone takes another decisive step toward ensuring that every mother and newborn has access to respectful, high-quality care when it matters most.

The addition of these midwives is expected to significantly impact Sierra Leone's maternal and neonatal healthcare landscape, particularly in underserved communities. The country's progress toward eliminating preventable maternal and neonatal deaths will be closely monitored, with the Ministry of Health working to ensure that the new midwives are effectively integrated into the national healthcare system.

As the new midwives begin their professional practice, they will play a vital role in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Sierra Leone. The government's investment in midwifery education and training is a critical step toward achieving its healthcare goals, and the Ministry of Health will continue to support the development of skilled healthcare professionals nationwide.

Key points

• The graduation of 126 midwifery professionals marks a significant milestone in Sierra Leone's efforts to enhance its maternal and neonatal healthcare services.
• The new midwives will help increase access to skilled birth attendants, a crucial factor in reducing preventable maternal and neonatal deaths.
• The Direct Entry pathway is a transformative advancement in Sierra Leone's midwifery education system, designed to fast-track professional training and increase the availability of qualified personnel.