I am happy to have provided technical leadership, direction and overall writing as Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) that led to the award of a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) Grand Challenges Planning Grant to Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS), Directorate of Health Securities and Emergencies (DHSE) for strengthening integrated diseases Surveillance in Sierra Leone.

For the first time in history, a government of Sierra Leone ministry has been able to put together innovative ideas and apply for a highly competitive US grant.

Our integrated disease surveillance proposal was considered very strong and emerged on top of nine competing countries. BMGF has kindly requested our permission to share our innovative strategies with the rest of the world.

Many thanks to an excellent team of MOHS DHSE colleagues and partners for effective team work and collaboration.