The Government of Sierra Leone has successfully concluded a five-day Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Workshop for Health Leaders, held from 2–6 February 2026 at the Family Kingdom Resort in Freetown.
Organized through the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), the workshop brought together senior officials, including acting permanent secretary Dr. Philip Kargbo, director of planning & policy Dr. Tom Sesay, and deputy minister Dr. Charles Sensesi. These leaders emphasized how data-driven and AI-supported health systems can transform healthcare delivery while stressing the importance of ethical governance, privacy protection, equity, and real impact on people’s lives.
Over the five days, participants engaged in lectures, live demonstrations, hands-on exercises, and collaborative group work. They produced draft policy notes and actionable insights and established a national network of trainers to sustain these competencies across the health sector.
For the NPHA, data analysis and AI applications mean stronger capacity to detect outbreaks early, track health trends in real time, and allocate resources more efficiently. For the Ministry of Health, these tools provide the evidence base needed to design policies that are innovative, equitable, and inclusive, ensuring interventions reach the most vulnerable. For Sierra Leone as a nation, this collaboration marks a milestone in building a resilient health system that is transparent, modern, and better equipped to protect every community.
The workshop concluded with certificate presentations, celebrating participants’ achievements and their pledge to cascade these skills within their teams and units.
Just as a single well-tended seed can grow into a tree that shades and nourishes an entire village, so too can the knowledge planted during these five days, if carefully nurtured, yield a stronger, more resilient health system for Sierra Leone.
Public Relations Unit
NPHA-SL