The Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) launched the first Integrated National Waste Management Policy and Strategy, and an Integrated Vector Management Strategic Plan on 12 April 2012. The occasion was also used to distribute the Country Report of the Situation Analysis and Needs As-sessment on Health and Environment. The documents were launched by Dr Abu Bakarr Fofanah, Deputy Minister-1 of MoHS. Development of the document involved service providers, civil society groups the private sec-tor, community members, development partners and other stakeholders with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Dr Fofanah in launching the documents called for joint public-private col-laboration for proper implementation of the documents and for improved public awareness on the related issues. 

Dr Louisa Ganda delivering a statement on behalf of WHO said develop-ment and implementation of national strategies on waste management and vector control interventions are critical for the health sector. She iterated the WHO’s strong commitment and continued technical support towards implementation of the policy and strategies and monitoring of progress on the impacts of the interventions on the health of the population. 

The documents will serve as a common guiding reference for the imple-mentation of the “Libreville Declaration on health and environment” signed by 52 African member states including Sierra Leone in August 2008. Among other issues, the Declaration emphasizes the implementation of 11 priority interventions which include strengthening the waste management system as a strategy for efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of quality services for improved health outcomes. The integrated vector man-agement strategic plan provides the road map for the control of vector-borne diseases in the country. 

The country report of the Situation Analysis and Needs Assessment (SANA) highlights the linkages between health and the environment. The SANA report was developed within the context of the first African inter-ministerial Conference in Libreville and provides evidence for the develop-ment of national plans of joint action that explore the linkages between health and environment.