As part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and close response gaps in the ongoing Mpox outbreak, the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), convened a strategic engagement with private healthcare practitioners in Freetown. The meeting, held at Brookfields Hotel, focused on enhancing the integration of private sector actors into national Mpox response strategies, including surveillance, laboratory systems, vaccination, infection prevention and control (IPC), and case management.

WHO Country Representative Dr George Ameh, addressing the gathering, underscored the critical role of the private health sector in the national public health architecture. He noted that Mpox has highlighted the importance of collective action and cross-sector collaboration in tackling emerging health threats.

“The ongoing mpox outbreak reminds us that disease knows no boundaries, public or private,” Dr Ameh said. “As cases are reported across all districts, the vigilance, readiness, and clinical excellence of the private sector are more important than ever. We cannot mount an effective national response without your full engagement.”

Freetown - He commended private healthcare providers for their continued service delivery, surveillance efforts, and referrals, particularly in under-reached communities. Recognizing the frontline position many private clinics, pharmacies, and laboratories occupy, Dr Ameh emphasized their pivotal role in early detection, timely reporting, IPC implementation, case referral, and risk communication.

“This is not a one-off engagement,” he continued. “It is part of a broader shift towards integrated, multisectoral public health action. WHO, in collaboration with the NPHA, is committed to supporting this partnership through technical guidelines, training, and, where possible, essential supplies.”

Representing the Ministry of Health, Deputy Minister of Health I, Professor Charles Senessie, welcomed the dialogue and reaffirmed government commitment to a unified response.

“We are determined to leave no one behind in our health security agenda,” he said. “This partnership with the private sector reflects our broader vision for a collaborative, inclusive health system where all players are aligned under national strategies.”

President of the Sierra Leone Private Healthcare Practitioners Association, Dr Ess Thomas, acknowledged the importance of the engagement and called for sustained collaboration.

“As private practitioners, we are serving Sierra Leoneans every day. This kind of engagement is long overdue and very welcome,” he said. “For the public–private partnership model to be truly effective, WHO and other partners must continue to engage us. This is a win–win for the entire health system.”

Executive Director of NPHA, Professor Sahr Foday, emphasized the agency’s resolve to strengthen multisectoral response coordination.

“The private sector is a critical link in the chain of our disease surveillance and response efforts,” he stated. “We are committed to building bridges that bring every health actor into the national framework. Mpox is a wake-up call that reinforces the urgency of unified, inclusive health action.”

Participants explored practical ways to strengthen linkages between private facilities and national response structures. Emphasis was placed on improving reporting channels, ensuring access to training and clinical protocols, and reinforcing IPC standards across all points of care.

This engagement reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Sierra Leone’s health security and reinforcing health system resilience through inclusive, coordinated action. As the mpox response continues, the active involvement of private healthcare providers remains essential to protecting communities and ensuring timely, equitable access to care.