The World Successfully being Group (WHO) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s response to the ongoing mpox outbreak, following a excessive-level mission to assorted districts of order, Port Loko and Bombali. Led by WHO Country Marketing consultant Dr George Ameh, the crew engaged with native health authorities, companions, and native councils to assess present efforts and title opportunities to enhance the response.
Regardless of facing a couple of challenges, every districts have activated their Rapidly Response Groups (RRTs) and are implementing key interventions including threat communication and community engagement, surveillance, and case administration efforts which had been mandatory in containing the unfold of the virus.
At every District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC), the District Successfully being Management Groups (DHMTs) equipped detailed updates, outlining challenges corresponding to restricted logistics, delayed lab outcomes, and shortages of principal gives.
“You have performed moderately successfully, considering the circumstances,” acknowledged Dr George Ameh. “I think about in the DHMTs. You might possibly possibly well very successfully be the pillars of the health system because you’re employed right away with the communities. It’s distinguished to galvanize enhance from assorted companions. I congratulate you in your efforts and am happy to inspect NGOs actively supporting the response.”
To enhance efforts, WHO donated distinguished scientific gives to every districts, including surgical gloves, robes, goggles, and assorted non-public protecting tools (PPE) for frontline scientific examiners. The crew also visited Authorities Hospitals in Port Loko and Bombali, the place newly repurposed buildings will advantage as dedicated mpox medicine centres.
“The WHO discuss with is successfully timed, and we are grateful for the enhance to this point,” acknowledged Dr Joseph Sylvanus Bangura, District Clinical Officer. “All americans is aware of what needs to be performed, nonetheless we’re constrained by belongings. We inspect forward to continued collaboration to completely contain the outbreak.”
Dr. Thomas Jalloh, Operations Lead at the National Public Successfully being Company, also counseled the district’s efforts. “We’re grateful to our accomplice, WHO, for stepping in so strongly. Their enhance boosts our morale. We must continue improving our response to curb the unfold of the virus.”
In addition to meetings with the DHMT and DEOC, Dr Ameh visited companions corresponding to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and CHAMPS and toured their laboratory facilities. The crew also visited the Makeni Molecular Laboratory, a key location for successfully timed diagnostic testing.
Dr Ameh remarked; “Seeing things firsthand helps us understand the progress and challenges. I’m right here to listen, see, and recommend in your behalf to highlight the coolest work and support proper extra enhance to finish mpox transmission.”
He also praised the district’s exercise of native records and key performance indicators (KPIs) to information response efforts and pork up outcomes.
Dr Bangura, Bombali’s District Clinical Officer, outlined some of the district’s key challenges: “We transitioned from home-essentially based to sanatorium-essentially based care on account of rising case numbers and restricted belongings. Feeding sufferers, sourcing medicines are all ongoing points. Nevertheless with our companions, we are making unswerving progress.”
Dr Ameh acknowledged these efforts and emphasised the importance of stronger coordination amongst all stakeholders. “It’s encouraging to inspect companions like MSF and CHAMPS providing hands-on enhance,” he acknowledged.
During a meeting with Makeni City Council, Chief Administrator Daniel Boima Kpukumu expressed appreciation for WHO’s enhance. “This discuss with has encouraged us. Our DMO and crew are doing an incredible job with restricted belongings. We’re appealing for added vaccines to expand coverage,” he acknowledged.
The mission concluded with a solid demand enhanced collaboration between districts, improved accomplice coordination, and sustained commitment from all stakeholders.
WHO remains dedicated to working with the Authorities of Sierra Leone and companions to enhance the health system and be certain an efficient, community-led response to the mpox outbreak.
