Sierra Leone Secures Seat on Global Meningitis Advisory Council, Holds Media Sensitisation
Sierra Leone has secured a seat on the Advisory Council of the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO), a global network working to address meningitis across all five continents.
The development was announced by Mohamed Samura, CoMO’s Regional Representative for Africa, during a media engagement organised to sensitise journalists and the public about meningitis and the importance of prevention and early detection.
Samura attributed Sierra Leone’s recognition to the country’s contributions to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) regional roadmap for defeating meningitis. He said Sierra Leone’s strategic plan had also been used as a case study in Chile to strengthen that country’s national response to the disease.
Despite limited dedicated funding, Samura said the organisation continues to undertake advocacy and public awareness activities on meningitis. He also commended the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) for providing weekly surveillance updates on suspected cases, while calling for increased efforts to strengthen awareness and prevention nationwide.
Speaking on the medical aspects of the disease, Dr Joseph Sam Kanu, Manager of Surveillance at the NPHA, explained that meningitis involves inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord and can be caused by different infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Dr Kanu warned that meningitis can be life-threatening, noting that approximately one in 10 patients may die if the disease is not detected and treated early.
He said outbreaks occur more frequently during the dry season and warned that limited diagnostic capacity and delays in seeking medical care can increase the risk of severe illness and death.
Children are among the groups particularly vulnerable to meningitis, with late detection potentially resulting in serious complications, including long-term health problems or permanent disability.
Dr Kanu explained that some forms of meningitis can spread through respiratory droplets and throat secretions, while the risk of transmission can increase in overcrowded settings such as schools, markets and community gatherings.
He identified key symptoms to watch for, including sudden high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting, confusion or altered consciousness, and unexplained skin rashes, particularly in cases of meningococcal meningitis.
He urged members of the public to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms associated with meningitis. He also highlighted vaccination, early reporting of suspected cases and good hygiene practices as important measures in preventing and controlling the disease.
Abdul Deadewei Swaray, Director of the Children Advocacy Forum Sierra Leone (CAF-SL), also addressed the media, highlighting the organisation’s health and rights advocacy work since 2015, including three years of direct advocacy on meningitis in collaboration with government partners.
Swaray called on journalists and bloggers to play an active role in public health education by providing accurate information and highlighting health issues affecting children, women and young people across Sierra Leone.
He said the media engagement forms part of activities marking World Meningitis Day, which will be observed on October 5, 2026.
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