“This Maternal Center of Excellence is a symbol of our nation’s belief that every mother deserves safety, every child deserves a chance, and every Sierra Leonean deserves to live in health and dignity.” – President Julius Maada Bio at the commissioning of the Maternal Center of Excellence

On Saturday, October 25, Build Health International and Partners In Health Sierra Leone received His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health, and many other distinguished guests for the inaugural ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Maternal Center of Excellence. 

Pictured: BHI’s Sierra Leone team, many of whom are women from Kono, supported the construction of the facility.

As President Maada said in his remarks to the honored guests: “Your belief in Sierra Leone and your investment in its people have built more than a hospital; you have built hope and possibility.” 

These sentiments were echoed by Build Health International’s Diana “Success” Komba and Managing Director, Jim Ansara. 

“For many of us, this was the first time we saw a project of this scale led with respect. We are not just laborers; we are partners,” stated Success in her speech. “We are asked what we think, how things could be done better. We are trusted. And that trust has changed how we see ourselves.

Field Technician Diana “Success” Komba gives her speech before government officials in Kono.

In his speech, Jim Ansara reflected on the vision of the late Dr. Paul Farmer, co-founder of Partners In Health, who played an instrumental role in the development of the facility prior to his passing. “Paul believed that this hospital would have a catalytic effect, not just in Kono, not just in Sierra Leone, but across the entire region. This facility is a declaration that every life matters equally–that mothers in Sierra Leone deserve the same dignity, safety, and care, as all mothers around the world.”

BHI Managing Director Jim Ansara speaks to the vision of the late Dr. Paul Farmer and his vision for improved maternal health in Sierra Leone.

This iconic 120-bed facility will serve as the premier training facility for maternal healthcare providers across Sierra Leone. It was developed in close partnership with Partners In Health Sierra Leone and the Sierra Leonean Ministry of Health, and built by a majority-women team. Many of the workforce attended the opening event, a testament and honor to their hard work and dedication. 

The facility was built to address and lower Sierra Leone’s high maternal mortality and save the lives of mothers and children throughout the region. It represents a critical investment in transforming healthcare access for women, and we are delighted to celebrate the ribbon-cutting with so many special guests, including governmental ministers, ambassadors, and nonprofit leaders. 

With work concluding on the Outpatient Department, the first patients are expected to seek care in Spring 2026. More lives will be saved and transformed through high-quality healthcare infrastructure and high-quality healthcare. 

The first phase of construction lasted years, including the completion of the North Ward, South Ward, and Birthing Center.

The first patients are expected to arrive in early 2026.