In an era of increasingly complex health emergencies and cross-border disease threats, regional collaboration is no longer a choice. It’s imperative. The convening of the ECOWAS Disease Control and Surveillance Technical Advisor Committee Meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria, from July 22 to July 24, 2025, represents a pivotal milestone in West Africa’s quest to build resilient, responsive public health systems. Against the backdrop of recent outbreaks and emerging challenges, from climate-sensitive diseases to humanitarian crises, this high-level platform allowed member states to harmonize surveillance protocols, exchange breakthrough innovations, and reinforce the foundations of collective health security.
Sierra Leone’s participation, led by the Executive Director of the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), Professor Foday Sahr, reflects both national ambition and regional solidarity. His presence holds symbolic and strategic weight, underscoring the country’s proactive stance in shaping epidemic intelligence, biosafety standards, and preparedness frameworks across the ECOWAS bloc. Coming on the heels of Sierra Leone’s Africa CDC two-star biosafety certification, Professor Sahr’s engagement signals not just representation but leadership. It was a moment to influence continental priorities, deepen technical exchange, and spotlight Sierra Leone’s contextual innovations.
From the NPHA’s strides in the mpox response to its deployment of the Integrated Sample Transport System, these regional dialogues amplified Sierra Leone’s voice in shaping future health outcomes. As technical committees deliberated on unified approaches to surveillance, early warning, and rapid response, Professor Sahr brought the lens of national experience and the spirit of regional health solidarity. His participation served as a channel to both advocate and absorb, returning with insights that can further elevate domestic capabilities while positioning Sierra Leone as a reference point for scalable, inclusive public health systems.
Public Relations Unit, NPHA-SL