Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) welcomed Dr. Kokou Nouwame Alinoh, Regional Director for the West Africa Regional Coordinating Center of Africa (CDC), during a courtesy visit to its headquarters in Wilberforce, Freetown.
The visit highlighted collaboration and reflection on Sierra Leone’s mpox outbreak response.
Present at the meeting were Professor Foday Sahr, NPHA Executive Director; Dr. Alex Vandi, Deputy Executive Director; Dr. James Squire, Incident Manager for the mpox response; and pillar leads from the Incident Management Team. The session provided an opportunity to review progress, challenges, and lessons learned from the national response.
Professor Sahr welcomed Dr. Alinoh, emphasizing that Sierra Leone’s mpox response followed a One Health approach, involving multiple ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to ensure a multisectoral strategy. He noted that interventions were decentralized across all 16 districts, allowing for rapid and community-level responses. “Our strength lies in our ability to mobilize across sectors and regions with unity and purpose,” he said, adding that continued partnership with Africa CDC remains vital.
Dr. Squire presented a detailed overview of the outbreak response, including financial reporting, disbursement processes, and updates on case reductions. He acknowledged the dedication of national and district-level responders for their tireless efforts.
Dr. Alinoh commended the NPHA team for transparency and effective coordination. “It is good when financial aid is given and a full report is provided on how the money was used. This is impressive,” he remarked. He also praised the reduction in mpox cases from triple digits to single digits as evidence of resilience and strong collaboration.
Dr. Vandi highlighted ongoing challenges, calling for stronger coordination between surveillance and laboratory teams, as well as better synergy between case management and surveillance pillars. He concluded with a message of determination: “Let this be a milestone, not a finish line. Our commitment to accountability, innovation, and community health must continue to guide us.”
The meeting ended with a handshake between Professor Sahr and Dr. Alinoh, symbolizing mutual respect and continued partnership. Commemorative photos captured the spirit of collaboration and shared commitment to public health advancement.
For More News And Analysis About Sierra-Leone Follow Africa-Press
