By Saidu Jalloh, D.S
FREETOWN — The Ministry of Health and Sanitation, through its Health Education and Promotion (HEP) Programme, has intensified public sensitization on meningitis in Freetown in collaboration with the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) and development partners.
The Ministry, together with the NPHA, World Health Organization (WHO) and Children’s Advocacy Forum Sierra Leone, staged a massive health walk on Saturday, October 3, 2026, ahead of World Meningitis Day, which is observed globally on October 5 every year.
The awareness exercise brought together health workers, civil society representatives and development partners with the aim of promoting key messages on meningitis prevention, early detection and prompt treatment.
The walk started at the historic Cotton Tree in central Freetown and ended at the Youyi Building compound, bringing vital health information directly to communities and urging individuals and families to take preventive measures against the deadly disease.
Officials from the Health Education and Promotion Programme stressed that public education is critical in helping communities to recognize the early signs and symptoms of meningitis and to seek immediate medical attention.
Meningitis is a serious infection that affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. During the campaign, health workers highlighted common symptoms to watch out for, including sudden high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion and drowsiness.
The campaign also underscored the need for shared responsibility among parents, caregivers, schools, communities and health workers in preventing meningitis, raising awareness and ensuring that affected persons receive timely medical care.
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