Source: World Health Organization - Sierra Leone |

World Health Organization (WHO) donates medical supplies and equipment to boost mpox response

The donation comes at a critical time as the country continues to respond to the ongoing mpox outbreak, with over 4,000 confirmed cases to date

As part of its continued support to Sierra Leone’s health sector, the World Health Organization (WHO) has donated essential medical supplies, mpox test kits, and laboratory equipment, including five medical-grade refrigerators valued at over USD 126,000 to the Ministry of Health. The handover ceremony took place at the Hastings Treatment…

Source: World Health Organization - Sierra Leone |

Sierra Leone bolters mpox response: World Health Organization (WHO) leads groundbreaking genomic surveillance and bioinformatics training

The training program targeted 15 participants, including laboratory scientists, public health professionals, and epidemiologists from across Sierra Leone

In a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing mpox outbreak response and genomic surveillance capacity, the Central Public Health Reference Laboratory (CPHRL) in Freetown hosted the mpox Genomics and Bioinformatics training workshop  from 23rd – 27th June 2025. The event was organized under the theme: “Strengthening Genomic Surveillance Capacity for mpox Response in Sierra…

Source: World Health Organization - Sierra Leone |

Sierra Leone advances pandemic preparedness with operationalisation of the Pandemic Fund

The Pandemic Fund offers a transformative opportunity to strengthen Sierra Leone’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats with greater speed and efficiency

Sierra Leone has entered a critical phase in strengthening its pandemic preparedness and response capacities, officially flagging-off the operationalisation of the Pandemic Fund. This milestone signals the country’s continued commitment to protecting communities and contributing to global health security. The project is led by the National Public Health Agency (NPHA),…

Source: World Health Organization - Sierra Leone |

Protecting those who protect us: Ensuring vaccinations for health workers on the frontlines

The ripple effect of protecting one health worker reaches far beyond the four walls of a health facility

It happened in seconds. The doors of the health facility flew open. A young man was rushed in, barely breathing, his family screaming behind him. Blood was everywhere, on the floor, his clothes, the hands of those trying to steady him. And without hesitation, the health workers moved towards him instinctively. There were…

Source: World Health Organization - Sierra Leone |

Counting days to recovery, Yusuf opens up about his painful journey with mpox

WHO is helping to strengthen the mpox response, from delivering medical supplies and equipment to providing technical guidance and supporting community engagement

When Yusuf Sesay first noticed a strange itch around his genital area, mpox wasn’t the first thing that came to mind. He figured it might just be a mild infection, something a quick pharmacy run could fix. But within a few days, the discomfort spiralled into something harder to ignore:…

Source: World Health Organization - Sierra Leone |

Strengthening Healthcare Workforce for Triple Elimination: World Health Organization (WHO) Supports Training of Frontline Health Workers in Sierra Leone

The World Health Organization (WHO) provided technical support, ensuring the training aligned with global best practices

In a concerted effort to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B (Triple Elimination), Sierra Leone strengthened its healthcare workforce through targeted training of frontline health workers in Makeni and Bo. Held from March 10th to 14th, 2025, the training equipped healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills…

Source: World Health Organization - Sierra Leone |

Scaling up mpox outbreak response in Sierra Leone

WHO has already delivered over US$ 38 000 worth of essential laboratory supplies and personal protective equipment, including gloves, gowns, aprons, face shields, biohazard waste bags, and infrared thermometers

Sierra Leone is deploying a range of measures to control and end an outbreak of mpox in which 18 cases have so far been reported since the disease was confirmed on 13 January 2025. The National Public Health Agency, with support from partners, including World Health Organization (WHO), is stepping…

Source: World Health Organization - Sierra Leone |

Entrenching person-centred life-stages care to advance the right to health in Sierra Leone

Government aims to accelerate progress towards its ambitious 2030 goal, which is that all people in Sierra Leone will have equitable access to quality and affordable health services without any undue financial hardship

Twenty-five-year-old Yainkain Sesay is expecting her first child. Before her first antenatal visit to King Harman Maternity and Child Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital city, she was anxious. “When I visited the hospital before I was pregnant, it was hard because I couldn't afford to pay for all the…

Source: World Health Organization - Sierra Leone |

Strengthening Global Health Security: Sierra Leone Prepares State Party Annual Report (SPAR) on International Health Regulations

The International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) serve as a binding agreement among 196 countries, including all WHO Member States, to fortify collective efforts in safeguarding global health

The Ministry of Health (MoH) with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, convened a two-day multi-sectorial workshop in Freetown from February 13 to 14, 2024. The purpose was to prepare the 2023 International Health Regulations (IHR) State Party Annual Report (SPAR), marking another stride in strengthening…

Source: World Health Organization - Sierra Leone |

Nationwide Rollout of the Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) Mass Distribution Campaign in Sierra Leone

The training sessions are being jointly facilitated by WHO, CRS, ICT4D and the National Malaria Control Programme at the Family Kingdom in Freetown

After a successful pilot phase of the Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) mass distribution pilot campaign in Bo district in November 2023, the MoH with support from WHO and other partners has initiated a nationwide rollout in the remaining 15 districts with a comprehensive four-day training program for 93 Independent Monitors…