PIH Announces Opening Timeline of the Maternal Center of Excellence in Sierra Leone
The new facility will open in a phased approach later this year
Posted on Mar 18, 2025
Partners In Health (PIH) is pleased to announce that the Maternal Center of Excellence (MCOE) will open in January 2026, following the completion of construction in October 2025.
The brand-new facility, which sits on the existing Koidu Government Hospital campus, will increase the current 48-bed maternal ward and special care baby unit to a 120-bed center that includes a cutting-edge neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Sierra Leone previously had one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world—an injustice that the Ministry of Health (MOH) and PIH are working tirelessly to address. Recognizing the urgency of the need, the MCOE will open in a phased approach to ensure both quality and efficiency.
In October 2025, construction will conclude with an inauguration event and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the facility. In the months that follow, intensive staff training and final preparations will take place to ensure the seamless delivery of new clinical services. By January 2026, the hospital will begin welcoming its first patients, starting with inpatient care and gradually expanding services and capacity. This phased approach will allow time to refine protocols, enhance training, and optimize patient care in the early days of the unrivaled facility. Further details about the inauguration event, including the specific date, will be announced in April 2025.
Alongside the MOH, PIH has partnered with Build Health International to lead the hospital’s construction. Since breaking ground in April 2021, significant progress has been made in both infrastructure and operational planning. Every detail has been carefully developed to set a new standard for health care excellence—from its innovative design and infection control measures to dignified, patient-centered spaces, this facility embodies a commitment to equity and quality. Moreover, the landscaped courtyards and kitchen area for mothers will provide patients and their families with a place of rest and comfort, reinforcing the MCOE’s commitment to holistic, compassionate care.
PIH is deeply committed to ensuring that the MCOE serves as a model of excellence in every aspect – from the building design and corresponding patient flow to the construction materials used and equipment procured.
Beyond transforming maternal care in Sierra Leone, the MCOE will serve as a global model of innovation, proving that maternal deaths are preventable with the right investment and commitment. In addition to providing advanced clinical services, the MCOE will train the next generation of Sierra Leonean maternal health experts—doctors, nurses, and midwives—equipping them with the skills and supplies to provide outstanding care in a well-resourced environment. With dedicated spaces such as a NICU, labor and delivery suites, surgical units, and adolescent-friendly services, the MCOE is designed to meet the diverse needs of women and children while advancing global efforts to improve maternal health.
This facility stands as a testament to the inherent value of every human life and the belief that making motherhood safer is not just a health initiative—it is a human rights imperative. As we prepare to open the doors, we are not just unveiling a hospital—we are ushering in a future where no woman dies giving life.
