By Gideon Maxwell
September 27, 2026
Former Nigerian Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo has delivered the keynote address at a high-level event on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The convening, hosted by the Government of Sierra Leone, focused on Sustaining Sierra Leone’s Triple Zero Gains.
Osinbajo said he was honoured to speak on African-led Innovative Health Financing.
Sierra Leone’s 300 Days of Activism is a bold presidential drive for Triple Zero.
This means zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths and zero unvaccinated children.
The initiative was launched earlier this year under President Julius Maada Bio.
More than 200 days into the campaign, Sierra Leone has recorded clear progress.
Maternal deaths are 31 per cent lower compared with the same period last year.
Infant deaths are down by about 11 per cent.
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The vaccination target for previously unreached children has been surpassed by nearly 105 per cent.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health, Dr Austin Demby, used the New York event to call on global partners for sustained support.
He said there could not be a better time to change the narrative for mothers and babies in Sierra Leone.
The campaign has moved from bold ambition to measurable impact.
It now requires sustainable financing and unwavering political support to become a lasting culture of accountability and care.
Osinbajo noted that the panel was moderated expertly.
Insights came from Hon. Dr Austin Demby, Minister of Health of Sierra Leone.
Also contributing were Hon. Mohamed Mchengerwa, Minister of Health of Tanzania.
Other speakers included Luc Laviolette, Dr Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, Chief Executive Officer of VillageReach, Dr Tom Frieden, Chief Executive Officer of Resolve to Save Lives, and Dr Mariama Mustapha, Triple Zero Implementation Lead.
The event brought together political leaders, health ministers, financing institutions and development partners.
Discussions centred on how domestic resources, grants and other instruments can support nationally led priorities.
Partners stressed that the gains must be protected through 2028 and beyond.
Sierra Leone’s experience is being presented as an African example of what focused political leadership and delivery discipline can achieve in maternal and child health.
