The Government of Sierra Leone, through the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), has taken a decisive step to strengthen disease surveillance by donating four branded surveillance vehicles to District Medical Officers (DMOs) in Kono, Bombali, Port Loko, and Bo districts. These vehicles are designated for Event-Based and Community-Based Disease Surveillance (ECBDS) activities, enabling faster monitoring and response to potential outbreaks.
Funded by the World Bank’s Pandemic Fund, the donation follows a strategic request to enhance the operational capabilities of district-level surveillance teams. During the handover ceremony, Dr. Joseph Sam Kanu, Program Director of Surveillance at NPHA, emphasized the vehicles’ role in enabling more timely and efficient disease surveillance, allowing districts to respond effectively to health threats.
Prof. Foday Sahr, Executive Director of NPHA, underscored the broader public health impact. He noted that the initiative is crucial for safeguarding the well-being of residents in these districts and reinforcing our national public health infrastructure. He also stressed the importance of collaboration between government entities and local communities in addressing emerging health threats.
Representing the recipients, Dr. Bangura, DMO of Bombali District, expressed appreciation to NPHA and the World Bank. He stated that the vehicles will be dedicated solely to disease surveillance and response activities. He also highlighted the value of inter-organizational collaboration in building resilient public health systems across Sierra Leone.
This donation is more than a logistical upgrade. It is a strategic investment in NPHA’s mission to protect public health. By improving mobility and field access, these vehicles expand our reach into remote and high-risk communities, accelerate field investigations, and strengthen coordination between district teams and national authorities. They also help build community trust, as visible, dedicated resources signal our commitment to health and safety. Ultimately, they reinforce NPHA’s operational resilience, allowing for sustained surveillance even during emergencies or resource constraints.
The initiative aligns with our broader strategy to build a responsive, community-centered public health system. It also reflects our commitment to leveraging partnerships, such as the one with the World Bank, to address complex health challenges with agility and foresight.