By Mohamed Sahr
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio on Thursday launched the newly established National Public Health Agency (NPHA) in a bid to combating emerging health issues.
The event was held at the Bintumani International Conference Centre in Freetown. President Bio said in a statement that the move followed the passing into law of the Public Health Act 2022. He added that the agency signals commitment to protect the wellbeing of Sierra Leoneans, as well as the country’s preparedness in preventing health emergencies.
According to the President, the establishment of NPHA serves as a bold dedication to the lessons learned during the outbreak of the Ebola and COVID-19 that ravaged the country.
“It is a system that…prevents, detects and responds to the multitudes of health emergencies in the country and the world at large,” he said, revealing that Sierra Leone had made significant improvement in disease surveillance system in a bid to combat the margin health challenges through epidemiology training programs across the country.
President Bio mentioned that his government had vibrant political will and a dedicated focus on public health infrastructures that would enhance development and data driven mechanism in order to protect and improve the wellbeing of the country’s population. He affirmed that the agency is twirled on key public, private partnership in enhancing coordination in an effort to reduce health inequality.
“The NPHA is a science based government organization that serves as a focal point for acquiring leadership, expertise, data driven approach and coordination to address concerns in line with national public health issues and compliance for health security agenda,” the President stated.
Professor Foday Sahr, Director General of the National Public Health Agency, said its launching brings fanfare of hope in the public health leadership and expertise. He noted that the agency provides critical role of coordinating public health activities across the nation, ensuring the country’s preparedness for effective response on any public health challenges.
Prof. Sahr emphasized that the NPHA serves as a testament to strengthening the health and infrastructure in Sierra Leone.
“Using the One Health platform which works in line with the NPHA would foster close collaboration on health, agriculture, environment, security, water resources and sanitation, among others,” Prof Sahr said.
He assured that with the new agency, Sierra Leone is better equipped more than ever before to addressing public health challenges.
Prof Sahr highlighted the NPHA and public health emergency trust fund that requires 10 million dollars for the next five years as an initial amount which would be rolled out into phases. He said the NPHA would align itself with national strategic plan to improving the public health security through coordination, early public health measures and response backed up with research as the main pillar in the response approach.
He stated that the national public health trust fund is money generated to ensure combating of public health emergencies, noting that it operates with independent governance structure to enhance public health issues.
Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health, said the National Public Health Agency focuses on the prevention, preparedness and response for epidemic and outbreak. He added that with the NPHA, the country moves to a unique opportunity in designing a system that would sort the health needs of its citizens.
Dr. Demby assured that the NPHA is reeled to addressing the four life stage blocks, which are the primary healthcare system, secondary and tertiary system, referral network and health security.
“Our determination is to continue to subject ourselves as the first country in West Africa and second in Africa in harnessing WHO flagship program in Universal Health and Preparedness Review,” Dr. Demby said.
He thanked President Bio for his continued leadership system and commitment to providing support in the country’s health system.
In a video message during the event, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO, commended Sierra Leone for the establishment of the National Public Health Agency, which he said serves as a foundational institution that would strengthen the health of the nation in providing science based leadership and coordination for public health.
Dr. Ghebreyesus mentioned that the new NPHA builds on the lessons learned from the Ebola epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic in ensuring better protection is enforced towards health emergencies.
“WHO is proud to support Sierra Leone to protect, promote and provide health including equipment and providing capacity building for the agency,” the WHO chief said.
The event was graced by representatives of Sierra Leone’s diverse development partners, including British High Commissioner, United States Charge d’ affaires, World Bank Country Manager, Chinese Ambassador, and United Nations Resident Coordinator.
