COMMUNITY POWER LEADS THE FIGHT AGAINST MPOX IN SIERRA LEONE
Sierra Leone is once again proving that community-led action is a winning strategy in the fight against outbreaks and pandemics.
Following a surge in Mpox cases between April and June 2025, the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL), in partnership with national and international stakeholders, launched an Enhanced Integrated Mpox Response Strategy. The goal is to ensure that every Mpox case is promptly identified, reported, investigated, and received appropriate care.
At the heart of this strategy are the Community Health Workers (CHWs)—the frontline heroes driving community engagement, local surveillance, vaccination outreach, and follow-up for home-based treatment. These CHWs were trained using an integrated Community-Led Action Approach tailored to the Mpox response and deployed across all 16 districts nationwide.
The initiative began in June with support from UNICEF and GOAL in seven high-burden districts. As of September, the program has expanded nationwide with the support of additional partners, including ECOWAS RCSDC, PSI, Africa CDC, and Jhpiego—a true example of a collaborative, scalable, and sustainable response.
Now, communities across Sierra Leone are empowered to develop and implement local action plans for the prevention and control of Mpox, placing decision-making power directly in the hands of those most affected.
“Our goal is clear—no Mpox case should go undetected or unaccounted for. We should search for them, report them, and ensure they receive appropriate care in designated holding and treatment facilities across the country. We are working collaboratively with the communities to ensure this happens.” Said Dr. James Squire, Incident Manager, Mpox Response, NPHA.
This nationwide effort is a testament to Sierra Leone’s resilience, demonstrating the power of coordinated action, robust community engagement, and strong government–partner collaboration in overcoming even the most complex public health threats
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