The Ministry of Health and Sanitation launched the Cholera Multi-Year Multi-Sectoral Plan and other three surveillance documents (National Sierra Leone National Disease Surveillance and Response Strategic Plan 2012 – 2017, Rapid Response Teams Operational Guidelines and Post Epidemic Evaluation (The 2012 Cholera Outbreak) on 27 February 2014 at the Presidential Lounge of the National Stadium.
When launching the documents, the Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation Dr A. B Fofana stated the im-portance of community involvement in the prevention and control of communicable diseases. He highlighted the importance of government funding to respond to disease outbreaks in a timely manner thus preventing further spread of the diseases and reducing mortality rates. He also called on stakeholders to effectively play their roles and responsibilities.
The occasion was chaired by Deputy CMO Dr. Sarian Kamara and a statement was delivered by the WHO Country Representative Dr. Jacob Mufunda on behalf of the UN Country Team and Mr. Tom Skitt Director of Freetown Urban WASH Consortium delivered a statement on behalf of NGO.

The WHO Rep Dr. Jacob Mufunda in his statement highlighted the seriousness of cholera disease and the 2012 cholera outbreak which contributed about 20% to the global caseload with a relatively low case fatality rate which he attributed to combined effort of the government, partners and communities. Furthermore he emphasized on the importance of surveillance, cross border activities and environmental sanitation and hygiene to prevent cholera transmission.

An overview of the four documents to be launched was given by the Surveillance Programe Manager Dr Faday Dafea. The Directorate DPC, Dr. Amara Jambai reminded all about the 2012 cholera outbreak and the challenge faced. He acknowledged all partners who were involved in the development of the documents.

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For More Information contact:

World Health Organization,
21 A and B Riverside Drive, off King Harman Road,
Freetown Phone : 232-22-233565 , +232-76-723236;

e-mail: whosl [at] sl.afro.who.int (whosl[at]sl[dot]afro[dot]who[dot]int)

Website www.whosierraleone.org