The Ministry of Health, in partnership with the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) and a distinguished panel of medical professionals, has concluded a Mortality Review Meeting on Mpox-related deaths. This exercise was undertaken with solemn duty, clinical rigor, and national resolve. The convening was not only a technical requirement but also a moral and strategic imperative: to ensure that every life lost to Mpox is honored through reflection, learning, and decisive action.
The Mortality Review was initiated in response to the urgent need for accountability and system-wide introspection following reported Mpox-related deaths. It sought to answer a fundamental question: what went wrong, and how can we prevent it from happening again? By examining each case in detail, the review aimed to uncover the operational, clinical, and systemic factors that contributed to mortality, ranging from delays in diagnosis and referral to gaps in case management and resource availability.
This review was also a key component of Sierra Leone’s broader commitment to epidemic preparedness and response. It aligns with international best practices and reflects the country’s dedication to continuous improvement, transparency, and the protection of public health.
The significance of this Mortality Review cannot be overstated. It represents a safeguard against future loss by enabling targeted interventions that can save lives. It serves as a compass for system strengthening, informing improvements in clinical protocols, referral systems, and health worker capacity. It is a gesture of accountability to the public, affirming that no death is ignored and that every life matters. It provides a platform for institutional learning, transforming individual tragedies into collective wisdom that shapes future policy and practice. It also acts as a call to action for community engagement, highlighting the need for timely health-seeking behavior and trust in the health system.
Expert presentations were done by Dr. Lakkoh, Dr. Agnes Bangura, Dr. Aminata Thomas, and Dr. Darlinda Jiba, illuminating the challenges faced across the continuum of care. Their insights led to a set of time-bound, district-sensitive recommendations. These include strengthening Mpox case management protocols and clinical guidelines, reinforcing referral pathways between peripheral health units and district hospitals, expanding training for frontline health workers with emphasis on early detection and response, enhancing community engagement to promote timely health-seeking behavior, and integrating maternal health surveillance and outbreak response systems to address intersecting vulnerabilities.
By convening this review, the NPHA and Ministry of Health have reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to transparency, equity, and system resilience. The process underscores a vital truth: every death is both a tragedy and a teacher, and every lesson must be translated into protective measures for the living.
This Mortality Review Meeting stands not merely as a record of reflection but as a national pledge. The sacrifices of those lost to mpox will lead directly to a stronger, more responsive, and more compassionate health system for all.
©️ Rachael Abi. Kuyembeh, PRO. NPHA-SL