From 9th to 10th September 2025, a pivotal two-day workshop was convened at Paloma Guesthouse in Kenema, bringing together representatives from all 16 districts of Sierra Leone; Western Area Urban, Western Area Rural, Port Loko, Kambia, Bombali, Tonkolili, Koinadugu, Falaba, Bo, Moyamba, Bonthe, Pujehun, Kenema, Kailahun, Kono, and Karene. Each district was represented by surveillance officers and key stakeholders from the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), and district surveillance teams. The workshop aimed to review the operations of the 117 Call Center and strengthen the country’s Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) framework under the One Health approach.
The workshop opened with a welcome address by Dr. Aminata Tigi Dankay Koroma, Surveillance Deputy Manager at NPHA. She emphasized the importance of refining surveillance systems to better capture community signals and respond with agility. Dr. Koroma reminded participants that the 117 Call Center is not merely a reporting mechanism. It is a reflection of public trust and a gateway to timely intervention. Her remarks set the tone for a gathering grounded in both technical rigor and human sensitivity.
Day One featured a series of presentations and discussions. Miss Lilian Admire Taylor shared findings from the 117 hotline system, highlighting the persistent challenge of prank calls that strain resources and obscure genuine alerts. She proposed a review mechanism that links SIM card registrations to National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) identification numbers. This system would enable authorities to trace habitual prank callers, issue formal warnings, and, in cases of persistent abuse, escalate matters for further investigation. Her proposal underscored the need for accountability and the protection of the hotline’s integrity.
Miss Mariama Jabbie presented a six-month analysis of 117 call center data, focusing on call volumes, geographic distribution, and district responsiveness. She noted that while most calls originated from urban centers, rural districts showed increasing engagement, especially during outbreaks. Patterns in call timing revealed spikes during weekends and evenings, suggesting the need for adaptive staffing models. She recommended stronger coordination between call center analysts and district response teams to ensure timely verification and feedback.
A session on Indicator-Based Surveillance (IBS) was led by Miss Mary Magdalene Sinnah and facilitated by Mr. A.K. Sesay. They guided participants through a comparative analysis of IBS and EBS outputs, emphasizing the importance of harmonizing both surveillance streams. The discussion highlighted how IBS data could validate EBS signals and vice versa, strengthening the reliability of outbreak detection and response.
The day concluded with breakout sessions focused on district-level signal management, prank call mitigation strategies, and digital integration to streamline data flow. Participants then engaged in group discussions on how the 117 system could be improved—from community sensitization to technical upgrades and policy alignment. These conversations were rich with district-level insights and reflected a shared commitment to building a more responsive, accountable, and trusted surveillance system.
Closing remarks were delivered by Dr. James S. Squire, Surveillance Director at NPHA. He commended the participants for their candor, collaboration, and dedication to public health. He reminded the gathering that the strength of Sierra Leone’s surveillance system lies not only in its infrastructure but in the integrity and responsiveness of those who operate it. He urged all present to continue listening deeply, acting decisively, and protecting the nation with both precision and compassion.
This workshop marked a strategic milestone for Sierra Leone’s public health architecture. For NPHA, it reaffirmed its role as a steward of surveillance excellence and community trust. The Ministry of Health and Sanitation, it offered a blueprint for inter-agency collaboration and system refinement. And for district surveillance officers, it was a space to share lived experiences, voice operational challenges, and co-create solutions that honor both data and dignity. As Sierra Leone continues to advance its One Health surveillance framework, the insights and commitments forged in Kenema will serve as a compass, guiding the nation toward a future where every signal is heard, every alert is verified, and every response is rooted in care.
Public Relations Unit NPHA-SL