Freetown, 1 Might 2023 ‒The Authorities of Sierra Leone is that this week holding a three-day Common Well being and Preparedness Overview high-level assembly within the nation’s capital, Freetown.
The intention of the Common Well being and Preparedness Overview is to ascertain high-level capability for well being emergency preparedness, primarily based on the ideas of common well being protection and mutual accountability amongst international locations. It’s a voluntary, clear, country-led peer assessment mechanism that goals to ascertain an everyday intergovernmental dialogue between international locations on their respective nationwide capacities for well being emergency preparedness.
Sierra Leone is the primary nation in West Africa, the second in Africa and the fifth globally to undertake the pilot of this assessment.
“What we learnt from Ebola is quite than chasing a virus, it’s best to strategically place your self, so you’re forward of it,” says Honorable Dr Austin H. Demby, Minister of Well being and Sanitation. “World Well being Group and different companions, via this assessment course of, will help the nation to place itself so we will higher anticipate and forestall emergencies from occurring within the first place.”
Sierra Leone has made vital progress in well being safety and common well being protection as a part of its restoration from the shock of Ebola virus illness outbreak practically a decade in the past, the COVID-19 pandemic and different well being emergencies. As such it’s uniquely positioned to undertake this assessment and function a mannequin for different international locations.
“Preparedness is vital to mitigating the impression of well being emergencies,” says Dr Lindiwe Makubalo, WHO Assistant Regional Director for the African Area. “This assessment will present us with a platform to find out about finest practices in preparedness and response, and the way we will enhance preparedness efforts usually. WHO reaffirms its robust decide to associate with the Authorities of Sierra Leone to maintain individuals secure and serve the weak.”
The anticipated outcomes from the Common Well being and Preparedness Overview are a dedication by the federal government and its companions to supply sufficient assets for well being, utilizing a complete of presidency and society method to getting ready for and responding to well being emergencies.
For extra data, please contact:
Dr Robert Musoke, Electronic mail: musoker [at] who.int
Ms Mecthilde Kamukunzi, Electronic mail: mkamukunzi [at] who.int