Prof. Charles Senessie Assures Sierra Leoneans Of Govt’s Ebola Preparedness
By Abdul Rahman Bah
Deputy Minister of Health I, Prof. Charles Senessie, has reaffirmed Government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of Sierra Leoneans through strengthened preparedness measures against Ebola and other potential public health emergencies.
Speaking during the Government Weekly Press Conference hosted by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education at the Miatta Civic Center in Freetown, Prof. Senessie said Sierra Leone’s health sector is fully alert, prepared and equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to any outbreak threat.
He noted that under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, significant investments have been made to strengthen the country’s healthcare system following previous outbreaks such as Ebola, COVID-19 and Mpox. According to him, these experiences have transformed Sierra Leone’s emergency response capacity and positioned the country among nations with improved disease surveillance and preparedness systems in Africa.
Prof. Senessie emphasized that Government continues to prioritize emergency health infrastructure, skilled human resource development, medical logistics and modern diagnostic systems to ensure timely detection and containment of infectious diseases.
He further disclosed that Sierra Leone’s expertise in outbreak response has gained international recognition, referencing the country’s contribution to supporting Rwanda during the Marburg outbreak response.
The Deputy Minister assured citizens that all emergency response institutions remain fully operational and coordinated, with surveillance systems activated across the country to guarantee public safety.
Executive Director of the National Public Health Agency, Brig. Prof. Foday Sahr, also reassured the nation that Sierra Leone has not recorded any confirmed or suspected Ebola case, while the World Health Organization continues to classify the country as low-risk.
He explained that Government has nonetheless activated Level Two preparedness measures as a proactive step to protect citizens and strengthen national readiness. These measures include intensified screening at official entry points, deployment of ambulance services at Lungi International Airport and operational isolation facilities for any suspected case.
Prof. Sahr encouraged citizens to continue supporting Government’s public health efforts by remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious illness through the emergency line 117.
Meanwhile, Director of Disease Surveillance and Applied Epidemiology, Dr. James Squire, revealed that over 1,600 health facilities nationwide are now connected to a modern digital surveillance system, enabling faster and more efficient reporting of suspected diseases.
Health authorities say Government remains fully committed to protecting lives, strengthening healthcare delivery and ensuring Sierra Leone remains prepared against any future public health threat.
