Partners In Health (PIH) opened the Paul E. Farmer Maternal Center of Excellence (MCOE) in February 2026 in Sierra Leone. The brand-new clinical facility features modern maternity wards, the country's first neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), surgical suites, and dormitories to house mothers when their babies are under critical care. Your support for the MCOE's operating costs will help PIH end preventable maternal deaths by delivering skilled, quality, and respectful care for every mother.
In Sierra Leone, women face a 1 in 74 lifetime risk of dying in childbirth. This crisis is rooted in a long history of systemic challenges, including exploitation and civil war. In October 2014, at the request of the Government of Sierra Leone, PIH started working in the country to support emergency Ebola relief efforts. Recognizing the great need for continued investments to build a resilient health system, PIH committed to staying, with maternal health as one of our main priorities.
Located on the Koidu Government Hospital (KGH) campus in rural Kono District, the MCOE includes 120 patient beds, three operating theaters, and the country's first NICU. Critical infrastructure upgrades strengthen infection prevention and ensure uninterrupted care. Beyond medicine, patients receive comprehensive support-from food and transportation to housing and education. Through the facility's design, PIH can ensure the diverse needs of even the most vulnerable women and newborns are met.
The MCOE will drive lasting progress in maternal health year after year, ensuring that every mother and baby has access to safe, dignified, and high-quality care. Furthermore, PIH is training the next generation of maternal health experts, midwives, nurses, and doctors. Plans are already underway for a dedicated training site nearby to support future accreditation as a rural teaching hospital. This commitment ensures lasting change and capacity building for Sierra Leone's health system.
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