In 2015, the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in Sierra Leone was 1360/100,000 live births according to the World Health Organization. With the average number of births per woman at five, this meant that one in 17 women in Sierra Leone died due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth.
In the Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey 2019 released in late 2020, the estimated MMR was 717 deaths per 100,000 live births. The lifetime risk of maternal death indicated that of 1,000 women of exact age 15, about one in 31 women would die before age 50 during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 2 months of childbirth.
This reduction demonstrates a significant improvement, but still leaves much work to be done to further reduce this tragedy. By comparison, in the USA, one in 4000 women die related to complications of pregnancy and childbirth.
In RHCI’s experience since 2018, no woman who has stayed at the RHCI Birth Waiting Homes (over 600) has died related to childbirth. Many factors are contributing to the improved SL statistics. RHCI has focussed on improving maternal health in the Tikonko Chiefdom starting with the training of the Community Health Workers in 2015 (also in 2019 and 2020) in collaboration with Midwives on Missions of Service.
Other major contributing factors to this improvement include the services provided at the Birth Waiting Homes which make it possible for women to have a midwife delivery at the local health center, RHCI’s transportation system for women needing advanced OB care, and the Motorbike Outreach Clinics providing prenatal services. Our work has undoubtedly had an impact and positive influence contributing to the overall improved Sierra Leone statistics.
RHCI is forever grateful to our hard-working, skilled in-country staff and our faithful supporters who are making this major improvement possible.
Reference: Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) and ICF. 2020. Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey 2019. Freetown, Sierra Leone, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: Stats SL and ICF.