Sierra Leone’s National Public Health Agency (NPHA) has intensified efforts to improve disease surveillance and early outbreak detection through a six-week training programme for frontline healthcare workers in Bonthe and Western Rural Districts.
The training, conducted under the Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) Light Course, brought together healthcare professionals, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen the country’s ability to identify, investigate and respond to disease outbreaks at the community level.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to improve Sierra Leone’s preparedness for public health emergencies, particularly following the country’s experiences with Ebola, COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
Speaking during the programme, NPHA Deputy Executive Director, Dr Mohamed Alex Vandi, commended the United States Government for its continued support towards strengthening Sierra Leone’s public health system.
He disclosed that approximately 95 percent of the Agency’s activities were funded by the US Government, highlighting the importance of international partnerships in supporting disease surveillance and emergency response.
Dr Vandi explained that field epidemiology training has played an important role in strengthening Sierra Leone’s response to previous health emergencies, including the Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks.
Meanwhile, the Resident Advisor of the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), Dr Gebru, revealed that approximately 600 public health professionals have received training through the organisation’s support since the Ebola outbreak.
He described Sierra Leone’s Field Epidemiology Training Programme as one of the successful initiatives of its kind in Africa, noting its contribution to developing local expertise in disease prevention and control.
Programme Manager for Workforce FETP, Amara Alhaji Sheriff, disclosed that Sierra Leone began training epidemiology personnel in 2016 and has since graduated 17 cohorts.
The programme has helped develop a workforce capable of collecting and analysing health data, identifying potential disease threats and supporting timely responses to public health emergencies.
Acting United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Country Director, Dr Kathy Middleton, encouraged participants to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice.
She stressed the importance of effective disease detection, accurate data analysis, timely reporting and rapid response in preventing outbreaks from spreading within communities.
The latest training is expected to strengthen coordination between healthcare workers and communities, particularly in identifying early warning signs of infectious diseases and ensuring that suspected cases are reported promptly.
By equipping frontline workers with practical epidemiological skills, NPHA aims to improve community-based surveillance and reduce delays in detecting potential public health threats.
The programme also highlights the importance of continued investment in healthcare workforce development as Sierra Leone works to build a stronger and more responsive public health system.
The NPHA maintains that strengthening local expertise and improving disease surveillance remain essential to protecting communities and ensuring the country is better prepared to respond to future health emergencies.
