By: Joseph Momoh, Daily Scope Reporter
Sierra Leone says it is fully prepared to detect and respond to any public health emergency, with systems in place that reflect lessons learned from Ebola, COVID-19, and Mpox.
Deputy Minister of Health I, Prof. Charles Senessie, told reporters that the country’s experience with those outbreaks has reshaped how government plans, trains, and deploys resources. He said Sierra Leone’s improved capacity was demonstrated internationally through its support to Rwanda during the recent Marburg outbreak.
According to Prof. Senessie, the government’s strategy is built around expanding emergency response infrastructure, strengthening the health workforce, securing medical supplies and logistics, and upgrading disease diagnostic systems. Treatment centers and isolation units have been expanded across districts, while training for doctors, nurses, and laboratory staff continues to build frontline capacity.
He added that essential drugs, personal protective equipment, and vaccines are being prepositioned, and laboratories upgraded to allow faster testing and confirmation of outbreaks. These measures, he said, allow the country to act quickly and decisively if a new health threat emerges anywhere in the country.
“The lessons we took from those outbreaks are now embedded in how we plan, train, and deploy resources,” Prof. Senessie said. “We are no longer reacting after the fact. We are building a system that can anticipate and contain threats early.”
He noted that the 2014-2016 Ebola crisis exposed major gaps in infrastructure, staffing, and coordination, but those gaps have been addressed through sustained investment and partnerships. The COVID-19 response advanced digital surveillance and data-driven decision making, while the recent Mpox response tested the country’s ability to mobilize quickly at the community level.
“Our goal is to make sure that no community is left behind if an outbreak occurs,” he said. “Preparedness is not a one-off event. It requires constant investment, training, and public engagement.”
The Ministry of Health has urged the public to remain vigilant, report unusual symptoms early, and cooperate with health authorities on preventive measures.
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