On August 11 and 12, 2025, the Government of Sierra Leone, through the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), convened a two-day Regional and National Intra-Action Review (IAR) for Mpox Response at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown. The meeting brought together national and international stakeholders to reflect on the country’s response to the mpox outbreak, identify gaps, and chart a path toward stronger public health preparedness.
The event was chaired by Alhaji Dr Mohamed Alex Vandi, Deputy Executive Director of NPHA, who facilitated the sessions with clarity and strategic foresight. In his opening remarks, Dr. Vandi emphasized the importance of the plenary as a space for honest reflection and collective learning. “This review is not just about what we did. It’s about what we learned, what worked well, and how we can do better if another outbreak occurs. It’s a stepping stone toward achieving global health security,” he said.
Dr Vandi acknowledged the contributions of longstanding partners such as HEADA, GOAL, UNICEF, WHO, Africa CDC, U.S. CDC, Jhpiego, and MSF Holland, while also welcoming the European Union as a new partner in Sierra Leone’s public health journey. He expressed optimism about the EU’s future support to both the mpox response and the broader work of the NPHA.
Professor Foday Sahr, Executive Director of NPHA, reflected on the country’s journey since the first confirmed mpox case on January 10, 2025. He outlined the evolution of the Incident Management System (IMS), from initial containment to strategic coordination across districts, which has now brought case numbers down to single digits. He praised the Paramount Chiefs for instituting community-level bye-laws and thanked District Medical Officers (DMOs), Community Health Workers (CHWs), and logistics teams for their tireless efforts. “Every effort in this response is appreciated,” he said. “From the field to the command center, this has been a collective fight—and we are winning.”
Professor Sahr also commended Dr James Squire, the incident manager, and his team for their leadership. Dr Squire delivered a detailed presentation on the national response, including the epi-curve showing the trajectory from the initial surge in January to the current decline in cases. His presentation highlighted key milestones such as the activation of the IMS, deployment of rapid response teams, decentralization of the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC), and integration of community health structures. He shared data on case trends, contact tracing success rates, and geographic spread, emphasizing the importance of adaptive coordination and timely data flow.
Partner statements further enriched the plenary. Dr Sesay, representing Sierra Leone’s 22 local councils, reaffirmed that no community would be left behind. “Our action today will protect the people in the future,” he said. Paramount Chief Representative P.C Bai Biaroh Maboteh expressed gratitude for the inclusion of traditional leaders, stating, “We have always stood with our people, and we will continue to do so”
Dr Monique of the U.S. CDC praised Sierra Leone’s progress: “We are not looking back, but must use these findings as a way for positive and collective learning.” She emphasized that outbreaks are not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’, and applauded the country’s trajectory from triple-digit cases to single digits. “We are hopeful that zero is within reach,” she said while thanking CDC’s implementing partners, the Ministry of Health, and the leadership of NPHA. She also commended Jhpiego for sponsoring the event and acknowledged the contributions of all stakeholders: “Everyone’s contribution, stance, and experience is appreciated.”
Dr Clemens, representing Africa CDC, encouraged participants to use the plenary discussions to identify areas where NPHA is still lacking and where further strengthening is needed. He reaffirmed Africa CDC’s commitment to supporting NPHA both technically and financially.
Dr Vandi also thanked MSF Holland for their critical role in case management and for setting up the FCC Mpox Response Center. Dr Lubango Kabema, Project Coordinator for MSF Sierra Leone (Germain), highlighted MSF’s contribution to clinical care and isolation services. “We are proud to stand with Sierra Leone in this fight,” he said, “and will continue to support efforts that ensure timely care and community protection.”
The first day of the plenary concluded with a robust discussion on the key findings from the Intra-Action Review. Participants reflected on strengths such as decentralized coordination, community engagement, and rapid case management while also identifying gaps in logistics, data harmonization, and surge capacity. The dialogue was solution-oriented, setting the tone for day two’s technical sessions and action planning.
Sierra Leone’s commitment to strengthening its public health systems and protecting communities remains unwavering. As the country moves closer to zero mpox cases, the lessons from this review will serve as a foundation for future preparedness and global health collaboration.
Public Information Officer Mpox Response
Public Relations Unit, NPHA-SL