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Staying ahead of Mpox: National health agency and partners are assessing preparedness strategies. Held at the Brookfield Hotel, the meeting between NPHA and partners aimed to reflect on lessons learned and enhance future outbreak preparedness in Sierra Leone.
Chairing the event, Alhaji Dr. Mohamed Alex Vandi, Deputy Executive Director of NPHA, underscored the importance of honest reflection: “This review is not just about what we did; it’s about what we learned, what worked well, and how we can improve for future outbreaks.”
Professor Foday Sahr, Executive Director of NPHA, recounted the journey since the first confirmed Mpox case on January 10, 2025, highlighting the crucial roles of decentralized coordination and community engagement. “Every effort in this response is appreciated,” he noted.
Incident Manager Dr. James Squire presented the national epidemiological curve and key achievements, including rapid response deployment and the establishment of district-level Public Health Emergency Operations Centers.His presentation prompted discussions on successes and areas for improvement.
Statements from partners, including WHO, Africa CDC, U.S. CDC, and UNICEF, reinforced the collaborative efforts. Dr. Monique from the U.S. CDC praised Sierra Leone’s progress, stating, “From triple digits to single digits, we are hopeful that zero is within reach.” Dr. Clemens of Africa CDC reaffirmed ongoing support, while Dr. Lubango Kabema of MSF Holland acknowledged the effective collaboration at the FCC Mpox Response Center.
Dr. Vandi welcomed the European Union as a new partner, expressing optimism about their contributions to public health.
The day concluded with discussions on key findings from the IAR, addressing logistics, data harmonization, and surge capacity, setting the stage for day two’s technical sessions and action planning. Sierra Leone remains dedicated to strengthening health systems and protecting communities as they move forward together.
