Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby

By Sulaiman Jalloh

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby, appeared before the Sixth Parliament to brief lawmakers on the country’s preparedness to combat the rising Mpox outbreak, On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, the recent surge in Mpox infections prompted parliament to summon the minister under Section 107, Subsection 2, of the 1991 constitution of Sierra Leone, requiring the government to demonstrate its readiness to control the spread of the virus.

Speaking in the parliamentary chamber, minister Demby highlighted that the declaration of a public health emergency is intended to mobilize resources, accelerate containment efforts, and protect the public, this declaration empowers us to act swiftly to prevent further transmission and provide timely care to those affected, he affirmed.

The Minister further revealed that Sierra Leone has received approximately 63,000 doses of the MVA-BN Mpox vaccine, these vaccines will be prioritized for frontline healthcare workers and vulnerable communities nationwide, he reassured Members of parliament that the health system is well-prepared, drawing on the country’s experience managing previous outbreaks such as Ebola and COVID-19.

Our health workforce is alert, our emergency systems are active, and we have learned valuable lessons from past crises to respond more effectively, minister Demby said, urging citizens to remain vigilant, report suspected Mpox cases promptly, and adhere to public health guidelines, on the ministry’s response strategy, he announced that nationwide awareness campaigns have already begun to educate the public about Mpox symptoms, transmission, and preventive measures.

Hon. Bernadette Wuyatta Songa, chairperson of the committee on health, commended Sierra Leone’s preparedness, stating the country has one of the best emergency healthcare systems in the region, she noted, however, the need for stronger policies and legislation to further improve the health sector, the ministry of health has been supportive of parliament, albeit gradually, as a nation, we are progressing well with our healthcare systems, she said.

Opposition whip, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, challenged some of the Minister’s claims by highlighting ongoing challenges. He emphasized the urgent need to revitalize the ambulance system, citing the near collapse of the National emergency medical services (NEMS), the Ministry of health should not be pleading with the ministry of finance over the health conditions of our people, he remarked, he also called for decisive action to stop the illegal sale of drugs on the streets and stressed that the issue of pin codes in healthcare must be addressed urgently.

Hon. Abdul Kargbo, Leader of the opposition, called on the ministry to intensify efforts in tackling the Mpox outbreak, he urged the ministry to engage religious and traditional leaders to ensure effective community education about the virus, let us seek technical support from experts to strengthen our response, he added, majority Leader and Leader of government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to curbing the outbreak. He highlighted plans for regional cooperation and called for a change in mindset towards the health sector. “We need to transform how we approach health in this country, he stressed.

Minister Demby also confirmed that the response efforts are being coordinated closely with global health partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the Africa CDC, all providing essential technical assistance, logistics, and vaccines to support Sierra Leone’s fight against Mpox, in closing, the minister reiterated his ministry’s dedication to transparency, public safety, and coordinated action to mitigate the outbreak’s impact and protect the health of all Sierra Leoneans.

Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 19th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)