August 12, 2025. Freetown, Sierra Leone.
In a moment that fused reflection with resolve, the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) concluded its National Plenary Meeting on the Intra-Action Review (IAR) for the Mpox Response 2025. Held in Freetown, the final session brought together a mosaic of voices: Paramount Chiefs, District Medical Officers, technical leads, and partners. Each contributed to a collective reckoning with the past and a strategic vision for the future.
Alhaji Dr. Mohamed Alex Vandi, Deputy Executive Director of NPHA, continued his role as chairman with characteristic warmth and clarity. He opened the day by welcoming traditional leaders whose grassroots wisdom anchored the response and by honoring the steadfast presence of Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Charles Senesie. Prof. Senesie, who has stood shoulder to shoulder with NPHA since the outbreak’s onset, delivered a galvanizing address that underscored the power of unity. “By working together, we can identify and correct what went wrong while building on our strengths to enhance future responses,” he affirmed.
To translate discussions into actionable outcomes, attendees were divided into smaller breakout groups. These focused sessions allowed participants to delve into specific steps for improvement, with each group responsible for developing detailed plans, including concrete timelines for implementation. Prof. Senesie encouraged open dialogue and active engagement within the groups, fostering an environment of innovation and shared responsibility. District medical officers brought field-level insights, technical leads contributed data-driven strategies, and partners offered cross-sectoral perspectives. The result was a dynamic exchange that bridged policy with practice.
The meeting’s emphasis on intra-action review aligns with global best practices in public health emergency management, where real-time assessments help refine ongoing responses. As the mpox situation evolves, the insights gained from this plenary will play a key role in bolstering national preparedness and resilience.
Throughout the plenary, NPHA’s commitment to inclusive leadership was evident. Dr. Vandi extended heartfelt thanks to the District Medical Officers from all 16 districts, acknowledging the weight of their daily responsibilities and the sacrifice involved in stepping away to participate. “We see you. "We value you,” he said, reminding the room that both he and Incident Manager Dr. James Squire once served as DMOs themselves. That shared lineage deepens institutional empathy.
The meeting also paid tribute to the engine rooms of the response: the technical pillars. Surveillance, RCCE, Laboratory Services, Points of Entry, Resource Mobilization, Finance, Logistics, Public Information Officers, IPC, and Case Management teams were all recognized for their precision, adaptability, and grit. On day one, NPHA Executive Director Professor Foday Sahr commended these pillars for their unwavering commitment under pressure. “You are the backbone of our response architecture,” he declared. “Your coordination is not just operational. It is transformational.”
Facilitators Dr. Mohamed Boie Jalloh, Dr. Mustapha Jalloh, and Mr. Harold Thomas ensured that the plenary remained both grounded and generative. They guided breakout sessions that translated reflection into action. Each group developed concrete plans with timelines, reinforcing NPHA’s ethos that strategy must be both visionary and executable.
As the curtains drew on the IAR, Dr. Vandi reflected on its deeper significance. “This is more than a meeting. It is a reaffirmation of who we are as a public health community: resilient, collaborative, and committed to learning.” His closing remarks also acknowledged Jhpiego, the lead sponsor, and all partners whose investments continue to strengthen Sierra Leone’s health security.