In a significant advancement for Sierra Leone’s healthcare system, the World Health Organization (WHO) has made a generous donation of medical supplies and equipment valued at over $640,000. This contribution aims to bolster the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) in their efforts to combat the mpox outbreak and enhance overall health services in the country.
This marks the third donation of mpox control laboratory and medical supplies since the outbreak began in January 2025, and it stands as the largest contribution to Sierra Leone this year. The supplies are strategically designed to strengthen the national response to the mpox crisis while simultaneously reinforcing broader health initiatives such as HIV services and the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).
The official handover ceremony took place at the Emergency Operations Center of the NPHA in Freetown. Dr. George Ameh, WHO Representative, presented the medical supplies to the Honourable Deputy Minister of Health 1, Professor Charles Senessie. The donated items are aligned with three critical health priorities: the ongoing response to mpox, the enhancement of HIV services, and the improvement of immunization coverage across the nation.
Among the essential supplies provided are personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, GeneXpert cartridges, and other vital laboratory materials necessary for diagnosing and monitoring mpox cases. Additionally, cold chain equipment has been included to support the delivery of HIV services and immunization efforts, ensuring that vaccines and medications are stored and transported under optimal conditions.
Dr. George Ameh highlighted WHO’s unwavering commitment to global health security and the importance of its partnership with Sierra Leone. He stated, “We are pleased to hand over these essential supplies which will immediately contribute to the mpox response and help build long-term health system resilience. Strengthening health infrastructure today is an investment in the country’s future capacity to prevent and respond to public health threats.”
The donated equipment is expected to provide immediate support for the ongoing mpox response while contributing to the resilience of the broader health system. As Sierra Leone continues to report new mpox cases, these supplies will enhance laboratory capacity, improve case detection and monitoring, and ensure the safety of healthcare workers. Furthermore, they will strengthen HIV and immunization programs that are vital to public health.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Executive Director of the NPHA, Dr. James Squire, who serves as the Incident Manager for the mpox response, Professor Senessie expressed his gratitude for WHO’s partnership. He remarked, “We thank WHO for this generous donation and assure you it will be used for the intended purpose of strengthening the health sector and improving health outcomes for the people of Sierra Leone. This donation could not have come at a more critical time. It will directly support ongoing efforts to contain the outbreak and protect health workers on the frontline.”
This contribution is part of WHO’s larger initiative to enhance health security, improve emergency preparedness, and promote universal health coverage in Sierra Leone. Special thanks were extended to GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, and The Global Fund for their generous support in this endeavor.
