Port Loko, and Bombali districts - The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s response to the ongoing mpox outbreak, following a high-level mission to other districts of concern, Port Loko and Bombali. Led by WHO Country Representative Dr George Ameh, the team engaged with local health authorities, partners, and local councils to assess current efforts and identify opportunities to strengthen the response.

Despite facing multiple challenges, both districts have activated their Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) and are implementing key interventions including risk communication and community engagement, surveillance, and case management efforts that have been crucial in containing the spread of the virus.

At each District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC), the District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) provided detailed updates, outlining challenges such as limited logistics, delayed lab results, and shortages of essential supplies.

“You have done quite well, considering the circumstances,” said Dr George Ameh. “I believe in the DHMTs. You are the pillars of the health system because you work directly with the communities. It’s critical to galvanize support from other partners. I congratulate you on your efforts and am glad to see NGOs actively supporting the response.”

To strengthen efforts, WHO donated critical medical supplies to both districts, including surgical gloves, gowns, goggles, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline health workers. The team also visited Government Hospitals in Port Loko and Bombali, where newly repurposed buildings will serve as dedicated mpox treatment centres.

“The WHO visit is timely, and we are grateful for the support so far,” said Dr Joseph Sylvanus Bangura, District Medical Officer. “We know what needs to be done, but we’re constrained by resources. We look forward to continued collaboration to fully contain the outbreak.”

Dr. Thomas Jalloh, Operations Lead at the National Public Health Agency, also commended the district’s efforts. “We are grateful to our partner, WHO, for stepping in so strongly. Their support boosts our morale. We must continue improving our response to curb the spread of the virus.”

In addition to meetings with the DHMT and DEOC, Dr Ameh visited partners such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and CHAMPS and toured their laboratory facilities. The team also visited the Makeni Molecular Laboratory, a key site for timely diagnostic testing.

Dr Ameh remarked; “Seeing things firsthand helps us understand the progress and challenges. I am here to listen, observe, and advocate on your behalf to highlight the good work and help secure more support to stop mpox transmission.”

He also praised the district’s use of local data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to guide response efforts and improve outcomes.

Dr Bangura, Bombali’s District Medical Officer, outlined some of the district’s key challenges: “We transitioned from home-based to hospital-based care due to rising case numbers and limited resources. Feeding patients, sourcing medications are all ongoing issues. But with our partners, we are making real progress.”

Dr Ameh acknowledged these efforts and emphasized the importance of stronger coordination among all stakeholders. “It’s encouraging to see partners like MSF and CHAMPS providing hands-on support,” he said.

During a meeting with Makeni City Council, Chief Administrator Daniel Boima Kpukumu expressed appreciation for WHO’s support. “This visit has encouraged us. Our DMO and team are doing an incredible job with limited resources. We are appealing for more vaccines to expand coverage,” he said.

The mission concluded with a strong call for enhanced collaboration between districts, improved partner coordination, and sustained commitment from all stakeholders.

WHO remains committed to working with the Government of Sierra Leone and partners to strengthen the health system and ensure an effective, community-led response to the mpox outbreak.