From March 23–25, 2026, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) and supported by IHPAU, convened a 3‑day workshop in Bo City to update the Concept of Operations (CONOPS 2026) for the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC).
This U.S.–funded activity was implemented through a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Ministry of Health, and NPHA. IHPAU provided financial oversight, ensuring accountability in the management of funds.
The CONOPS 2026 is a strategic document guiding how Sierra Leone’s PHEOC operates during emergencies. It defines mission, governance, and organizational structures, and clarifies how Incident Managers and Incident Management Systems (IMS) are activated during outbreaks. The previous CONOPS, developed in 2019 under the Directorate of Health Security and Emergencies (DHSE) in the then Ministry of Health and Sanitation, had become outdated. With the establishment of NPHA in 2021 under the National Public Health Agency Act and the appointment of its first Executive Director, Professor Foday Sahr, the update was essential to reflect new realities and embed lessons learned from Ebola, COVID‑19, and Mpox.
Mr. Sandi A. Genda, representative of the U.S. CDC, presented an overview of the CONOPS, highlighting its mission, governance, and operational procedures. He emphasized preparedness activities such as training, simulation exercises, and stockpiling supplies. Breakout sessions and plenary discussions allowed participants to review and update sections on governance, logistics, surveillance, laboratory operations, risk communication, data management, and recovery.
The plenary underscored the importance of surveillance and data in guiding interventions, alongside laboratory services, case management, RCCE, logistics, and monitoring and evaluation. Coordinating pillars such as Legal, Compliance and Audit, Procurement, and Public Relations were highlighted as essential for accountability and effective communication. Participants also agreed to integrate the NPHA Watchroom into CONOPS 2026 as a central data hub for real‑time monitoring and reporting.
Closing remarks from Dr. Steven Ngegbai (DMO, Bo District) and Dr. Mustapha Jalloh (Acting Program Manager, EPR) emphasized the importance of CONOPS 2026 in guiding district‑level IMS. In her closing moderation, Miss Rachael Abi Kuyembeh stressed that CONOPS 2026 is not just a technical document but a symbol of Sierra Leone’s collective resolve to strengthen public health systems. She thanked the U.S. CDC for its continuous support, IHPAU for its oversight, and all partners for their contributions toward the growth of NPHA and the Ministry of Health in tackling public health threats.
Together, Sierra Leone builds resilience, readiness, and resolve.