On Saturday, October 23rd, 2025, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio presided over the official commissioning of the Kono Maternal Center of Excellence in Koidu City.
The facility was established in a partnership between the government and global health partners, welcoming the transformation of the old Koidu Government Hospital.
The hospital now has an upgraded capacity 120 beds with two new operating theaters.
This ultra-modern facility has been described as Sierra Leone’s first rural-based Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), allowing for critically ill newborns within the district to be treated without the need for parents to travel for long distances for life-saving care.
“Every generation is remembered for the foundation it lays. Today, here in Kono, we lay a foundation for life itself,” President Bio told a gathered crowd of health workers, community leaders, and partners. “This Centre is a symbol of our belief that every mother deserves safety, every child deserves a chance.”
He spoke of a region known for its riches underground, now offering something more valuable. “Kono is famed for its diamonds,” he said, “but the district now offers something more precious: the sparkle of life, health, and hope.”
The opening was charged with emotion, serving as a living tribute to the late Dr. Paul Farmer, co-founder of Partners In Health (PIH). The ceremony was held on his birthday, honoring his lifelong belief that “health care is a human right.”
The President also thanked unexpected allies, including the online “Vlogbrothers” community led by John and Hank Green, telling them, “Your investment has built more than a hospital, you have built hope and possibility.”
The new center arrives as Sierra Leone celebrates tangible progress. The President announced that maternal mortality has been cut in half since 2019, from 717 to 354 deaths per 100,000 live births. The national goal is now to reduce it below 70 by 2030.
“This progress proves that even nations once defined by fragility can become beacons of resilience and reform,” President Bio concluded, as the new hospital stood behind him—a concrete promise of a healthier future.
