Sierra Leone Deploys 105 Ambulances for Emergency Medical Referrals
Health authorities in Sierra Leone have deployed a network of 105 ambulances nationwide to strengthen the country's emergency medical referral system, aiming to improve timely access to critical care for pregnant women, children, and acute patients.
The announcement was made during a public town hall at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown, marking 300 days of activism under the government's Triple Zero campaign, an initiative dedicated to eliminating preventable maternal and child fatalities.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Francis Moses, Director of Reproductive and Child Health, emphasized that seamless transport infrastructure is vital for connecting local communities with well-equipped medical centers.
“You need a good referral system. You need a network. You need the ambulance,” Dr. Moses stated, underscoring the necessity of integrated health logistics.
Deputy Minister of Health II, Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha, highlighted the mandate for continuous, uninterrupted service operations regardless of seasonal challenges such as heavy rainfall and adverse road conditions.
“No day off… no night off… no rain season off,” Dr. Mustapha declared, reaffirming the ministry's commitment to year-round emergency coverage.
In addition to logistics, health officials underscored the essential role of community leadership. Paramount chiefs, local councils, traditional leaders, and healthcare workers were identified as key partners in early emergency identification and swift patient mobilization.
Traditional authorities are being leveraged to promote early antenatal consultations, boost routine immunization rates, and educate families on identifying critical medical warning signs requiring urgent transfer.
The ministry noted that equipment alone cannot bridge the gap; successful emergency responses rely equally on family awareness, rapid healthcare response times, and community-level assistance to prevent critical delays in treatment.
The Triple Zero campaign seeks to strengthen efforts to prevent maternal and child deaths by improving awareness, access to healthcare and responses to emergencies.
Health officials stressed the importance of ensuring communities know when and how to seek emergency care and that referral services remain available throughout the country.
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