Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, has engaged in discussions with the World Health Organization (WHO) to establish national public health agencies across the country.

During a highly productive meeting at the recently concluded United Nations Food System Summit in Italy, President Bio sat down with the WHO Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, to address pressing health concerns in Sierra Leone.

Dr. Ghebreyesus expressed his appreciation for President Bio’s commitment to emergency preparedness, highlighting Sierra Leone’s investment in the WHO universal health preparedness review.

The meeting aimed at fortifying the nation’s capacity to handle potential health crises effectively.

Central to the discussions was the establishment of a robust national public health agency that would serve as a vital institution in safeguarding the well-being of Sierra Leone’s citizens.

The collaboration with the WHO is expected to bring technical expertise and resources to support the development and implementation of these agencies.

Furthermore, President Bio and Dr. Ghebreyesus delved into critical health initiatives. They explored strategies to expand immunization coverage, aiming to reach more vulnerable populations and protect them against preventable diseases.

The leaders also addressed the urgent need to combat cervical cancer in Sierra Leone. With a collective commitment to eliminating this deadly disease, the government and the WHO are set to collaborate on comprehensive prevention and treatment programs.

Reducing maternal mortality emerged as another pivotal area of focus during the meeting. President Bio’s administration, together with WHO support, is determined to enhance maternal healthcare services and improve overall maternal health outcomes across the nation.