FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, May 14, 2025 – As part of joint efforts to reduce maternal and newborn mortality, Sierra Leone has launched a new National Nursing and Midwifery Strategy (2025–2030) alongside other documents: the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Aides Assessment and the Midwifery Schools Capacity Assessment reports as well as the Scope of Practice for Nurses and Midwives. The launch, a collaboration between the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Nursing and Midwifery Council, UNFPA, Seed Global, and other partners, signifies a significant stride toward strengthening the country’s healthcare workforce and improving health outcomes.
The National Nursing and Midwifery Strategy (2025-2030) aims to enhance the nursing and midwifery education and practice for improved health outcomes in Sierra Leone. Key objectives include strengthening leadership and governance, improving education and regulation for nurses and midwives, developing the workforce, enhancing service delivery, fostering partnerships, promoting innovation, and supporting research for evidence-based care. The ultimate vision is to ensure a healthy population with universal access to quality reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services, as well as general healthcare.
During the launch event, Deputy Minister of Health I, Dr. Charles Senessie, emphasized the critical importance of these documents in achieving national health goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC). He added, “We are marching forward… to bring that maternal mortality ratio to 70 by 2030,” highlighting the ambition to drastically reduce maternal deaths.
In addition to the strategy, UNFPA also supported the evaluation of scope of work by Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Aide (auxiliary nurses / midwives) and the assessment of the capacity of the midwifery schools. These reports offer vital insights into the realities of frontline health providers and the state of midwifery education. The MCH Aide assessment report outlines the role and challenges of MCH Aides, who are essential in delivering primary healthcare, particularly in underserved and remote areas. The Midwifery School Capacity Assessment indicates that existing curricula offer a balance between theoretical and practical learning, with a significant focus on clinical practice. This assessment found alignment with international standards, ensuring graduates are equipped with essential competencies in pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, labor and birth, and postpartum care. The emphasis on practical skills and comprehensive training is crucial for developing highly competent midwives capable of meeting the maternal health needs of Sierra Leone's population.
Sibeso Mululuma, UNFPA Sierra Leone Officer in Charge, reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to strengthening the health system. She noted that the newly launched documents are “policy enablers for broader health system reform” and align with Sierra Leone’s efforts to decentralize health service delivery and enhance the health workforce. Mululuma stressed the importance of implementing the strategies, integrating them into national planning, and investing in leadership development and regulatory capacity. ”UNFPA will continue to support the Government of Sierra Leone in its efforts to improve maternal and newborn health. This support includes ongoing initiatives like the Midwifery Accelerator, where Sierra Leone is among the champion countries, focusing on expanding the midwifery model of care. By addressing critical gaps and challenges in nursing and midwifery, Sierra Leone aims to significantly reduce maternal mortality and improve overall healthcare quality for its population.”
A demonstration of the Nursing and Midwifery website/database was presented. This effort, led by the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the Ministry of Health, with support from UNFPA, will digitalize the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s regulatory work. The new Nursing and Midwifery Council database signals a forward-thinking commitment to transparency and accountability for the nursing and midwifery health workforce. The platform will not only facilitate real-time data on students enrolled in training, nurses and midwives wherever they are, but also provide opportunities for capacity building through Continuous Professional Development (CPD). Jasper Sembi, the Director of DSTI, commended UNFPA “as a reliable partner” for the support in setting up the system.
In her presentation on the midwifery documents, including the new nursing and midwifery strategy, the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Matron Mary Fullah, highlighted some of the gains made from the previous strategy. These included enhanced institutional frameworks in leadership and governance at the Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery Services; the establishment of the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a semi-autonomous body through an Act of parliament (Nursing and Midwifery); standardization of the curriculum under education; an increase in the health workforce; and improved service delivery through national guidelines and quality initiatives.
Media contact: Islander Kabia | Communications Unit | UNFPA Sierra Leone | ikabia@unfpa.org
