By Lemuella Tarawallie
The crying of premature newborn babies echoed softly through the wards of the Julius Maada Bio Paediatric Centre of Excellence yesterday (Wednesday 26 November) at Lumley’s Regent Road as UNICEF, health officials, nurses, and mothers marked World Prematurity Day 2025 with the theme: “Give Pretern Babies A Strong Start For A Brighter Future”.
For many, it was not just a commemoration; it was a reminder of Sierra Leone’s ongoing battle to save the country’s smallest and most vulnerable citizens.
At the symbolic ceremony, UNICEF Sierra Leone handed over 100 resilient oxygen concentrators, along with essential newborn care supplies, to the Ministry of Health. The equipment are expected to significantly strengthen lifesaving care for premature and low-birth-weight babies across the country.
UNICEF’s Deputy Country Representative, Liv Elin Indreiten, described the donation as a clear investment in survival. “Oxygen is life-saving for babies struggling to breathe,” she said. “These concentrators, supported by UNICEF’s Office of Innovation through the Supplies Financing Facility, were designed to be more durable and dependable.”
She noted that the new concentrators came fitted with filter sets, flow splitters, nasal prongs, oximeters, and spare parts, making them suitable for Special Care Baby Units, paediatric wards, and primary health facilities nationwide.
She added that it was a privilege to stand with the Ministry of Health as “we commemorate World Prematurity Day 2025”. She noted that this year’s theme spoke directly to Sierra Leone’s reality. “Progress has been made, but newborn mortality remains heartbreakingly high,” she observed.
The Deputy Country Representative reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment through two major actions: The official launch of Sierra Leone’s National Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Guidelines, and The handover of the 100 resilient concentrators and essential newborn supplies.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Dr Mustapha Kabba, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer and keynote speaker for the commemoration, praised UNICEF for the timely support. “These are necessary equipment for the infrastructure and partnerships we need to ensure these items are used for their intended purpose,” he said.
He urged partners to support operational costs to keep the machines running. “Please let’s involve our biomedical engineering unit in the process. They are now working actively within the ministry. With proper maintenance and warranty culture, these machines will last longer and serve more babies,” he emphasized.
Dr Kabba reminded guests that every preterm baby deserved a strong start.
“We have the evidence, the tools, and the partnership from UNICEF to make this a reality. When solar panels keep an oxygen concentrator running, when a device stabilizes a struggling infant, and when a mother holds her baby skin-to-skin, lives are saved, and futures are shaped.”
But the challenges remain enormous. Sierra Leone’s neonatal mortality rate stands at approximately 24 deaths per 1,000 live births, and the infant mortality rate at around 94 per 1,000 live births. Most deaths occur in the first 28 days of life, driven by prematurity, birth complications, and infections.
“This is why the launch of the National KMC Guidelines is significant,” Dr Kabba said, noting that “Implementation and accountability are the only ways to give preterm babies the strong start they deserve.”
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Deputy Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Christiana Menad Squire called the day “a privilege and a solemn duty.” She noted that, “As we commemorate this day, let us renew our commitment to ensuring every premature baby survives and grows into a healthy human being.”
She thanked UNICEF for the life-saving equipment and applauded nurses and midwives for their tireless service.
The Resident Representative of the JICA Sierra Leone Office, Yoneba Yashi, expressed deep appreciation to UNICEF and the Ministry of Health. He announced JICA’s donation of 152,000 maternal and newborn health booklets, covering every pregnant woman and newborn in the Western Area.
“JICA’s cooperation in Sierra Leone is not short-term,” he assured. “We provide technical assistance and capacity building to ensure sustainable improvements.”