Sierra Leone News

Freetown - 14 December 2020 - The Ministry of Health and Sanitation wishes to inform the general public that preliminary results from the investigations of children manifesting weakness of the limbs, referred to as ‘Acute Flaccid Paralysis’ (AFP) have led to the isolation of poliovirus type 2 from three cases of AFP in Kambia, Tonkolili and Western Area Rural respectively.

“Antimicrobial resistance is not only a global public health concern but also a developmental challenge costing the world $10 trillion dollars, while killing 700,000 people each year and is projected to kill 10 million by 2050 if urgent action is not taken” says Dr. Ibrahim Franklyn Kamara, AMR Operational Research Fellow and member of the WHO IPC Team, at the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week scientific meeting held on 24th November 2020 in Freetown.

As various health sector responders implement activities geared towards ending the spread of COVID-19, which over 2300 people in Sierra Leone has tested positive for, the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) unit in WHO Sierra Leone has embarked on a nationwide IPC assessment in all Government Hospitals and selected educational institutions in all the 16 districts of Sierra Leone.

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation together with the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education with the support of the World Health Organization in Sierra Leone has launched the Integrated Diseases Surveillance and Response (IDSR) pre and in-service curricula in Bo city.

The WCO in Sierra Leone provide technical support to the National COVID Emergency Response Centre (NACOVERC) and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation MoHS, during a two days COVID-19 Intra Action Review (IAR) workshop at the Golden Tulip Hotel from 22nd to 23rd September 2020.

The WHO Country Office in Sierra Leone continues its support to state institutions in the fight against COVID-19 with a donation of 50 Hand wash stations (200 liters complete with stand and bin), 3000 units of soap and 15000 cloth masks to the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education on 6th October 2020.

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation with support from the World Health Organization in Sierra Leone and other partners has commemorated World Patient Safety Day and launched the National Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety Policy along with the Quality of Care Strategic Road map in Freetown.

The COVID-19 pandemic in Sierra Leone disrupted the health system, especially the delivery of routine services. As infection prevention and control measures are being practiced and monitored, the implementation of routine services has commenced in order to ensure the gains made over the years are maintained. In this regard, capacity building on Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative has commenced for maternity staff in the regional hospitals.

Although the first case of COVID-19 didn’t emerge until late in March in Sierra Leone, by late April, immunization rates and the use of child health care services had worryingly declined by about 19%.

The World Health Organization continues to expend its strategic technical expertise support to include logistical and operational support to the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to respond to COCID-19 pandemic. This was demonstrated with the recent donation of COVID-19 response supplies and equipment worth more than 500,000 US Dollars.