In a momentous event held at the Freetown International Conference Centre on Thursday, December 14, 2023, His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio initiated a transformative shift in Sierra Leone’s healthcare landscape by officially introducing the National Public Health Agency (NPHA).

This significant development comes on the heels of the enactment of the Public Health Act 2022 by the Parliament of Sierra Leone, signifying a dedicated governmental response to address longstanding health challenges and bolster the nation’s healthcare infrastructure.

With a palpable sense of pride and duty, President Bio urged Sierra Leoneans, international development partners, civil society, and the private sector to join forces in the collective endeavor to establish a resilient public health system. The President acknowledged the historical health crises that have afflicted the nation, including Cholera, Ebola Virus Disease, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the vulnerabilities inherent in the existing healthcare framework.

The establishment of the National Public Health Agency symbolizes a bold stride toward a healthier and more secure future for Sierra Leone. President Bio emphasized the agency’s pivotal role in cultivating resilience and responsiveness to prevent, detect, and effectively respond to a spectrum of health threats. He articulated, “Today, we are witnessing the realization of a vision that has been nurtured through collective efforts—a shared determination to build a resilient and responsive healthcare system to ensure the health and prosperity of every Sierra Leonean.”

President Julius Maada Bio highlighted the agency’s alignment with the government’s Human Capital Development vision. The NPHA is poised to safeguard and enhance the population’s health, diminish health disparities, and forge partnerships with individuals, communities, as well as public, private, voluntary, and international organizations.

In a video message, the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, lauded President Bio’s leadership and vision, describing the NPHA as a foundational institution that will strengthen the health of a nation. He pledged WHO’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone in protecting, promoting, and providing healthcare through training, capacity building, and equipment.

The launch event featured substantial contributions and commitments from key stakeholders, including the Minister of Health, the National Public Health Agency Executive Director, the United Nations family, the British High Commissioner, the World Bank, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, and the United States Embassy. These statements affirmed a collective dedication to the success of the NPHA and its crucial role in safeguarding the health and well-being of the Sierra Leonean population.

President Julius Maada Bio concluded the event with optimism about the NPHA’s capacity to play a pivotal role in coordinating and strengthening public health initiatives. The agency is poised to serve as a central hub for surveillance, response, and research, enabling swift detection and addressing of health threats. As Sierra Leone takes this significant stride towards a resilient and responsive healthcare system, the launch of the National Public Health Agency marks a promising chapter in the nation’s pursuit of a healthier and more secure future.