Ishmael Zay-Bangura

NEW YORK, 21st September 2026 —At a high-level convening held today at the Westin New York Grand Central, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, issued a call to action to the global community, urging sustained support for the country’s ambitious Triple Zero Campaign.

The event, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81), highlighted the remarkable progress made in the past 200 days and outlined the critical path forward.

Speaking on the theme “Sustaining Sierra Leone’s Triple Zero Gains,” Dr. Demby declared, “There couldn’t be a better time to change the narrative for mothers and babies in Sierra Leone than now.” He emphasized that the campaign which aims for zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths, and zero zero-dose children has moved from bold ambition to measurable impact, but requires sustainable financing and unwavering political support to become a lasting culture of accountability and care.

The event featured a strong show of national commitment. Chief Minister Dr. David Sengeh, speaking on behalf of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, underscored that the Triple Zero Campaign remains a top national priority backed by the highest levels of government. Dr. Sengeh spoke to the human impact behind the statistics, explaining that real-time data is not merely measuring progress but is actively saving the lives of mothers, newborns, and children across Sierra Leonean communities.

According to data provided by the Ministry of Health, Sierra Leone is witnessing a historic turnaround in its health outcomes. More than 200 days into the 300 Days of Activism, the country stands at a pivotal moment:

· Maternal deaths: 31% lower compared to the same period last year.
· Infant deaths: Down 11%.
· Vaccination target: Surpassed by nearly 105%.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mustapha Kabba presented the story behind these numbers, demonstrating how the results of the past 200 days have shifted the national conversation from whether progress is possible to how it can be sustained and built upon.

Providing a broader African perspective, the Director General of the Africa CDC, H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, described the #300DaysOfActivism initiative as a milestone. He called Sierra Leone a model for where Africa is making real change for its mothers and children, reinforcing the campaign’s significance beyond national borders.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Demby assured partners that Sierra Leone has reached an inflection point in its journey toward the Triple Zero targets. He pledged a firm commitment to financial accountability, promised to scale up community engagement, and emphasized that every patient must not only receive quality healthcare but also experience care that is dignified, compassionate, and transformative.

As the 300 Days of Activism continues, the message from UNGA81 was clear: Sierra Leone has demonstrated that rapid, data-driven progress is possible, but the sustainability of these gains will depend on the continued partnership of the global community.