Bo City, Sierra Leone | September 3, 2025 | The Government of Sierra Leone, through the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) and its One Health Secretariat, has concluded a two-day Validation Workshop for the Wildlife Zoonotic Disease Surveillance Strategy in Bo City. The event, held from September 2-3, 2025, at the Bo Inn, brought together key national and international stakeholders to strengthen the country’s preparedness against zoonotic diseases.
This initiative represents a major milestone in Sierra Leone’s public health response. It reinforces the One Health approach, which integrates human health, animal health, and environmental protection into disease surveillance and control. With zoonotic diseases accounting for a majority of emerging infectious diseases worldwide, Sierra Leone is taking proactive steps to safeguard its population, biodiversity, and ecosystems.
In his address, Dr. Mohamed Alex Vandi, Deputy Executive Director of the NPHA, stressed the agency’s commitment to aligning Sierra Leone’s disease surveillance systems with international standards. He noted that while strides have been made in monitoring human and livestock health, wildlife remains a critical gap in disease surveillance.
“This new strategy will help us fill that void,” Dr. Vandi said. “The validated plan will be presented to the government for adoption and integration into national health policies. Sierra Leone is determined to remain vigilant against zoonotic threats, especially in the face of global health security challenges.”
Raymond Alpha, Senior Technical Advisor for Population Services International (PSI), underscored the role of communities in disease prevention. He highlighted PSI’s ongoing support to strengthen local health systems and empower citizens with knowledge that can help prevent the spread of zoonotic infections.
Arthur Kamara, Data Manager at the Livestock and Veterinary Services Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, called for stronger collaboration between veterinary services and public health authorities. He stressed that early detection of diseases in animals is critical to preventing spillovers into human populations.
Dr. Amara Jambai, Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Health Education and Development Agency (HEADA), urged development partners to prioritize sustainability. He emphasized that the strategy should not rely solely on external donor support but should be rooted in local ownership and capacity-building.
Representing the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Yayah Mansaray, Assistant Director in the Forestry Department, underscored the environmental dimensions of zoonotic disease risk.
“This pivotal event marks a milestone in our collective efforts to enhance Sierra Leone’s capacity to monitor, prevent, and respond to zoonotic diseases that originate within our wildlife and natural environments,” Mr. Mansaray stated. “The draft strategic plan embodies an integrated approach. Its success hinges on active engagement of all stakeholders committed to safeguarding both human and ecological health.”
He stated that land degradation, deforestation, and human encroachment into wildlife habitats increase the risk of disease outbreaks. He reaffirmed his department’s commitment to strengthening surveillance frameworks that protect biodiversity while promoting public health.
The workshop concluded with a reaffirmation of the One Health principle, recognizing that human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected. Speakers and participants agreed that preventing future outbreaks of diseases such as Ebola, Lassa fever, and other emerging threats requires collective action across sectors.
The two-day event brought together representatives from NPHA, HEADA, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, WHO, US CDC, PSI, and other partners. Their collaboration reflects Sierra Leone’s commitment to a holistic, integrated, and sustainable approach to public health.
As Sierra Leone validates this critical strategy, the country positions itself as a regional leader in wildlife zoonotic disease surveillance, a move that not only strengthens national resilience but also contributes to global health security.
By: Peter Munda Stevens