Post a comment 
The Deputy Minister of Health I, Prof. Charles Senessie, has assured the public that Sierra Leone remains fully prepared to respond to any potential public health emergency, drawing from lessons learned during previous outbreaks such as Ebola, COVID-19 and Mpox.
Speaking at the Government Weekly Press Conference organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education at the Miatta Civic Center on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, Prof. Senessie said the country’s experiences over the years have greatly strengthened national emergency preparedness and response systems.
According to the Deputy Minister, Sierra Leone has developed a more coordinated and resilient health sector that is capable of detecting, preventing and containing disease outbreaks.
He stated that the country’s expertise in managing public health emergencies has also gained international recognition, citing Sierra Leone’s intervention during the Marburg outbreak in Rwanda.
Prof. Senessie explained that the government’s preparedness strategy is centered on four major pillars, including infrastructural development for emergency response, strengthening human resource capacity, ensuring the availability of medical supplies and logistics, and improving disease diagnostic systems.
He noted that the four components are working together to guarantee a rapid response to any emerging health threat across the country.
“The health sector remains operational and prepared to handle any emergency situation that may arise,” Prof. Senessie assured.
The Deputy Minister further disclosed that health authorities continue to strengthen national surveillance systems, laboratory preparedness, border monitoring and disease prevention measures as part of efforts to protect the population from future outbreaks.
The update formed part of broader discussions by health officials during the weekly government press briefing on the country’s readiness to respond to public health emergencies.
