Freetown - The World Health Organization (WHO) today handed over eight vehicles to Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health during a brief ceremony held at the Youyi Building in Freetown. The donation, made under the Pandemic Fund Agreement, aims to bolster disease surveillance and emergency response capacities at the district level, particularly in the context of the ongoing Mpox outbreak.

The vehicles were officially presented by WHO Country Representative Dr George Ameh to the Minister of Health, Dr Austin Demby, in the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Health, the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), WHO staff, and members of the media.

Speaking at the event, Dr Demby emphasized the importance of ensuring that Primary Health Care (PHC) reaches every community. He explained that effective health security depends on prevention, preparedness, and the ability to respond quickly at all levels of the system. He credited the PHC approach as instrumental in controlling the mpox outbreak, noting that the number of active cases has declined significantly, from a peak of around 2,000 to approximately 200 cases currently.

“Our approach is community-rooted and has yielded results,” said Dr Demby. “WHO has been more than a technical partner, they have walked with us, providing the resources, guidance, and hands-on support we’ve needed throughout this journey.”

Dr George Ameh reaffirmed WHO’s continued support and leadership in strengthening Sierra Leone’s health security. He highlighted WHO's role in facilitating the Pandemic Fund initiative, explaining that a proposal led by the Network for Outbreak and Health Emergency Awareness (NOHA) secured support for improving surveillance systems and rapid response mechanisms across the country.

“Through this contribution under the Pandemic Fund, WHO is handing over eight additional vehicles to help interrupt ongoing transmission of mpox and improve district-level readiness,” Dr Ameh stated. “This is in addition to the six vehicles provided last year for rapid response efforts.”

National Public Health Agency Executive Director, Professor Foday Sahr, commended the collaboration and noted the tangible impact of previous vehicle donations. “With good leadership, everything is possible,” he said. “The vehicles provided last year  through WHO enabled swift responses to five emergencies. Within 48 hours, teams were already deployed and on the ground.”

He underscored that the foundation of any effective outbreak response lies within the community, a principle that continues to guide national efforts in building a more resilient health system.

This latest delivery marks a key milestone under the current Pandemic Fund cycle. With enhanced mobility and logistics, Sierra Leone’s ability to respond to public health emergencies at the district level is significantly strengthened. Through ongoing collaboration with WHO, the country continues to build a robust, community-based health system, essential to achieving universal health coverage and long-term health security.