On 14 February 2026, the Paul E. Farmer Maternal Center of Excellence opened its doors at Koidu Government Hospital, welcoming 27 patients by 10 a.m. Within the first 24 hours, 13 babies were delivered, seven by caesarean section and six vaginally, underscoring the urgent need for specialised maternity services in the region.
John Green, the bestselling author, steered a $25 million fundraising campaign alongside his brother Hank Green and their families. The money came from their public platforms, supporters, and a partnership with Partners In Health, which has overseen the project’s financial and logistical aspects.
Construction began in April 2021 and took four years. Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima inaugurated the facility on 25 October 2025, after which staff completed intensive training before the opening.
Sierra Leone still faces a one‑in‑74 risk of maternal death. The new centre expands the existing 48‑bed ward to 120 beds, adds three operating theatres, and introduces the country’s first neonatal intensive care unit, providing life‑saving equipment like a piped oxygen system outside the capital.
Partners In Health will now manage the centre’s clinical operations, aiming to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates. A review of outcomes is scheduled for the end of 2026, with plans to replicate the model in other districts.