WHO Donates 480 Ebola Test Kits to Sierra Leone
The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated 480 PCR test kits and vital laboratory supplies to Sierra Leone to strengthen the nation's capacity to detect and respond to Ebola and Marburg virus disease outbreaks.
The donation was handed over in Freetown by WHO Country Representative Dr. George Ameh to the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) on October 27, 2026. The high-precision kits are capable of detecting all five known strains of the Ebola virus, alongside approximately 500 extraction units to support immediate laboratory processing.
"Early detection is critical to stopping potential outbreaks before they spread,"
health officials emphasized during the presentation, noting that rapid diagnosis is key to containing high-consequence pathogens.
Accepting the donation on behalf of the Ministry of Health and NPHA, Executive Director Professor Brigadier-General Dr. Foday Sahr highlighted that the new shipment significantly bolsters the country's existing diagnostic reserves.
According to Dr. Sahr, health authorities have already deployed over 300 test kits to healthcare facilities nationwide, while Kenema Government Hospital maintains a stock of nearly 500 kits and 560 testing reagents.
Dr. Sahr assured partners that the new resources will be integrated immediately into Sierra Leone's national public health surveillance network to maintain continuous epidemic readiness.
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