Directorate/Pillar Information
Directorate of Surveillance and Applied Epidemiology
Purpose
The Directorate of Surveillance and Applied Epidemiology serves as a central pillar in the National Public Health Agency of Sierra Leone, providing strategic leadership, coordination, and technical oversight for the detection, monitoring, and response to public health threats. The Directorate is committed to strengthening national health security through robust surveillance systems, an empowered public health workforce, and effective emergency management capabilities.
Key Functions and Program Areas:
This program coordinates the national disease surveillance system, including Indicator-Based Surveillance (IBS) and Event-Based Surveillance (EBS). It ensures timely collection, analysis, and dissemination of data for early warning, outbreak detection, and evidence-based decision-making. It also leads outbreak investigations and epidemiological studies to inform public health action.
Focused on building a sustainable and skilled public health workforce, this program leads the implementation of the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) and other capacity-building initiatives. It supports training at national and sub-national levels to equip health professionals with competencies in surveillance, outbreak response, and data-driven decision-making.
This program leads the national coordination of preparedness, readiness, and response to public health emergencies. It supports the operation of Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), activation of Incident Management Systems (IMS), and the development and implementation of contingency plans and simulation exercises.
This program enhances core public health capacities at designated international ports, airports, and ground crossings, in alignment with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). It oversees health screening, surveillance, and coordination of cross-border public health measures to prevent the international spread of diseases.
Recognizing the mental and emotional toll of public health emergencies, this program integrates mental health and psychosocial support services into preparedness and response activities. It ensures frontline responders and affected populations have access to mental health services during outbreaks and other health crises.
Through these five interconnected programs, the Directorate plays a pivotal role in strengthening public health surveillance, emergency preparedness, and response capacities at both national and subnational levels.