Post a comment 
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) and Statistics Sierra Leone, officially launched the Sierra Leone Population‑Based HIV Impact Assessment (SiLPHIA) at the Youyi Building in Freetown.
This groundbreaking initiative marks a decisive step in strengthening Sierra Leone’s HIV/AIDS response by generating rigorous, evidence‑based data to guide national strategies and interventions.
In his keynote, Minister of Health, Dr. Demby, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to evidence‑based policymaking and Sierra Leone’s ambition to go beyond the UNAIDS 95‑95‑95 targets, aiming instead for 98‑98‑98. He described SiLPHIA as a turning point in Sierra Leone’s public health journey, one that will empower communities, strengthen accountability, and accelerate progress toward ending HIV as a public health threat.
He stressed that confidentiality is paramount, assuring participants that the survey is designed to protect privacy, uphold ethical standards, and build trust. “Stigmatization and discrimination are the negatives Sierra Leone does not want,” he said, emphasizing that the purpose of SiLPHIA is to empower, not expose.
Furthermore, Professor Sahr, a medical doctor specializing in infectious diseases and Medical Microbiology, introduced himself as the Lead Scientist and Principal Investigator for SiLPHIA 2026. He explained that this is Sierra Leone’s first‑ever national HIV survey of the general population. For the first time, the country will know based on real data from real households, exactly how many people in the Western Area are living with HIV, how many are on treatment, and how many have the virus fully under control.
He underscored the importance of this data in relation to the global 95‑95‑95 targets, noting that SiLPHIA will provide the honest picture of where Sierra Leone truly stands, enabling the nation to act with purpose and precision.
Additionally, Professor Sahr expressed gratitude to the Government of the United States through PEPFAR and the US CDC for funding the survey, and to ICAP at Columbia University and Statistics Sierra Leone for their indispensable technical contributions. Above all, he extended his sincere thanks to Minister Demby for his personal commitment and unwavering support. He also delivered a message directly to the people of Sierra Leone, encouraging households to welcome survey teams and participate willingly.
He reassured the public that participation is voluntary and strictly confidential, with free HIV testing conducted in the privacy of homes. Anyone who tests positive will be linked immediately to care and treatment, and personal information will only ever be used in anonymized form to improve health services for all Sierra Leoneans. “SiLPHIA 2026 is a defining chapter in Sierra Leone’s fight against HIV. The teams are in the field, the science is strong, and our people are ready. Most importantly, our country, Sierra Leone, is ready,” he concluded.
The launch of SiLPHIA marks a historic moment in Sierra Leone’s HIV/AIDS response. By harnessing data‑driven insights, the nation is better positioned to combat HIV/AIDS with precision, reduce stigma, empower survivors, and strengthen evidence‑based policymaking.
