Sierra Leone has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world, estimated at 1,165 deaths per 100,000 live births. One in 17 women bear a lifetime risk of dying during pregnancy and childbirth. Sierra Leone has very high child, infant, and neonatal mortality rates: 156, 92, and 39 per 1,000 live births, respectively.
With generous funding from UK aid, UNFPA constructed and refurbished six community health centres and two hospitals: King Harman Road Hospital and Rokupa Hospital. In addition, UNFPA also equipped all of the facilities to ensure that they are able to provide quality maternal newborn and child health services.
Rokupa Hospital
The Rokupa hospital is being established as a maternal newborn and child health centre of excellence. Located in the Western Urban District of Freetown, the Rokupa hospital serves a projected catchment population of 27,460, and an expected 6,315 women of reproductive age. The facility will provide a full range of reproductive maternal and newborn health care, comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care as well as in-patient and out-patient services. It has an operating theatre to support surgical interventions including caesarian sections, and is expected to contribute to improved health outcomes for pregnant women in the catchment area and beyond.
King Harman Road Hospital
Located in the Western Urban District of Freetown, the King Harman Road hospital serves a catchment population of 19,386, and an expected 4, 458 women of reproductive age. The old infrastructure was deemed not fit for purpose; hence, it was demolished and replaced with a new construction. The King Harman Road Hospital will provide a full range of maternal, newborn and child health services, including quality comprehensive emergency maternal obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) services.
For more information, please contact:
Ms Angelique Reid, Communication Specialist
UNFPA Sierra Leone
M: +232 78 340044
