NPHA Urges Immediate Action on Ebola Preparedness
The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) has issued an urgent call to address critical preparedness gaps in Sierra Leone’s defense against a potential Ebola outbreak, emphasizing the vital need for enhanced hospital readiness and emergency response infrastructure.
The warning comes in the wake of a comprehensive national preparedness review held on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. During the session, health officials and key stakeholders evaluated key operational sectors to ensure rapid and unified action should a health crisis emerge.
The assessment encompassed vital response areas, including hospital isolation capacity, emergency coordination, ambulance management, infection prevention, contact tracing, personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies, safe burial protocols, and public outreach.
Stakeholders urged the immediate activation of the incident management system via the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and called for thorough evaluations of medical facility readiness. Additionally, leaders underscored the role of paramount chiefs and local authorities in mobilizing grassroots community support.
To accelerate action on unresolved priorities identified during the review, officials proposed a formal Cabinet briefing to ensure prompt decision-making and resource allocation.
While no confirmed cases of Ebola have been detected in the country, the agency reiterated that proactive measures must be established well before any active threat materializes.
Concluding the review, the NPHA appealed to all partners and stakeholders for seamless collaboration to safeguard public health and guarantee an immediate, effective national response.
Comments