By Saidu Jalloh, Daily Scope Reporter
Freetown, Sierra Leone – The World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered essential infection prevention and control (IPC) materials to Sierra Leone’s National Public Health Agency (NPHA) to enhance the country’s response to the ongoing Mpox outbreak. The donation was officially presented during a ceremony on August 25 at the NPHA headquarters in Freetown.
Dr. Thompson Igbu, WHO’s Cluster Lead for Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, praised the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for its proactive measures in addressing the outbreak. He underscored the significance of international collaboration in managing infectious diseases and highlighted the necessity for ongoing surveillance to effectively contain the outbreak.
Receiving the supplies on behalf of the NPHA, Alhaji Dr. Mohamed Alex Vandi, Deputy Executive Director, expressed deep appreciation for WHO’s “unwavering support.” He noted that this partnership has been pivotal in advancing the country’s public health objectives. “This donation goes beyond a mere gesture; it symbolizes trust, solidarity, and a shared commitment to public health,” Dr. Vandi stated. He emphasized that the equipment is vital for Sierra Leone’s goal of eradicating Mpox transmission by the end of August.
The donated supplies included personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, face masks, gowns, bandages, and protective footwear, all aimed at safeguarding frontline healthcare workers and minimizing the risk of transmission. Mr. Ralph Eldred Williams, representing the Technical Lead of the IPC Pillar, confirmed that the materials will be distributed to high-risk districts throughout the country.
The ceremony was attended by various pillar leads from the NPHA, including those focused on Surveillance, Risk Communication, and Case Management, reflecting a unified, multisectoral strategy in the response to Mpox. The NPHA reiterated its commitment to ensuring that “no one is safe until everyone is protected.”
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