Sierra Leone Opens First NICU, Fueled by $50 Million Fundraising Effort by Hank and John Green

On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2026, Sierra Leone celebrated the grand opening of its first-ever Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Paul E. Farmer Maternal Center of Excellence (MCOE). The facility, a significant step forward for maternal and infant healthcare in the country, was made possible by a $50 million fundraising campaign led by authors and online creators Hank and John Green and their community, known as “Nerdfighteria.”

Addressing a Critical Need

Sierra Leone has historically faced a severe maternal mortality crisis. In 2020, the country’s maternal mortality rate was 1 in 52 women dying during pregnancy or childbirth – a stark contrast to the rates in the United States (1 in 3,800) and the United Kingdom (1 in 5,200), according to Partners in Health Sierra Leone. This high rate is largely attributed to the aftermath of the country’s 11-year civil war and ongoing challenges within the healthcare system.

The Paul E. Farmer Maternal Center of Excellence

The MCOE represents a major expansion of maternal and newborn care in the region. The 166-bed facility includes Sierra Leone’s first NICU, designed to provide specialized care for premature or critically ill newborns. It builds upon a previous 48-bed maternal ward, offering high-level emergency care and housing approximately 200 trained clinical staff, including 51 midwives. The center also features three operating theaters equipped for advanced surgical care and piped bedside oxygen access, a first beyond Freetown.

A Decade of Work and Community Support

The journey to establish the MCOE began in 2014 with Partners in Health working with local health officials to improve maternal healthcare. This included adding a blood bank and pharmacy, training staff, and improving access to family planning. The construction of the MCOE itself broke ground in 2021.

Hank and John Green, known for their YouTube channel Vlogbrothers (with over 4 million subscribers) and bestselling books, played a pivotal role in funding the project. They leveraged their businesses, including Great Store and Awesome Socks Club, along with donations and their annual Project for Awesome charity livestream to raise the necessary funds. John Green, a trustee of Partners In Health, emphasized the collaborative effort, stating, “This has been a six-year journey for our community, raising $50 million, working with the Sierra Leonean government and Partners in Health Sierra Leone to build the staff, stuff, space, and systems necessary to provide good, dignified care.”

Recognition and Future Plans

The Ministry of Health of Sierra Leone celebrated the milestone, stating their commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and advancing safer motherhood across the country. The Green brothers’ work in global health has also earned them a place on the TIME100 Health 2026 list. They plan to continue supporting maternal health efforts in Sierra Leone beyond the opening of the center.

First Patient and a Symbol of Hope

The first baby delivered at the MCOE, a girl weighing 1.72 kg (approximately 3.79 pounds), was born on February 14, 2026, at 2:13 p.m. And immediately received specialized care in the new NICU – a testament to the life-saving potential of the facility.