AGP Executive Report

Newborn health push: Sierra Leone’s Gender Minister Dr. Isata Mahoi urged urgent, coordinated action to cut preventable newborn deaths, calling for stronger antenatal, delivery and postnatal care and better protection against child marriage, teenage pregnancy and harmful practices. Maternal care upgrades: Orange Foundation and UBA Foundation refurbished the maternity ward at York Community Health Centre to boost maternal services and help reduce newborn deaths. Health system strengthening: The Ministry of Health and NPHA received 16 Honda motorbikes from WHO support via the Pandemic Fund to improve disease surveillance and faster outbreak response, especially in hard-to-reach areas. Facility expansion in Pujehun: Government is nearing completion of two 100-bed hospitals in Zimmi and Kpakedu to expand access and reduce pressure on the district’s main facility. Judiciary wellbeing: Sod turned for Sierra Leone’s first Judiciary Clinic in Freetown to support judges and court staff with treatment rooms, drug storage, reliable water and electricity, and nursing services. Disease surveillance and preparedness: WHO-backed efforts and local coordination are highlighted as Ebola risks continue across East and Central Africa, with Uganda confirming new cases and DRC reporting rising confirmed infections.

Hospital Expansion in Pujehun: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health says construction of two 100-bed hospitals in Zimmi and Kpakedu (Pujehun District) is nearing completion, aiming to cut travel burdens and improve access to care, alongside Free Healthcare Initiative medicine supply and new services like a district dental unit. Ebola Watch Across the Region: Uganda confirmed six new Ebola cases (total 15) and is tracking 668 contacts, while DRC’s outbreak continues to rise with 321 confirmed cases and 48 deaths reported; Nigeria also warned it is only 59% ready, citing border risks. Surveillance Boost: The Ministry of Health and NPHA received 16 WHO-supported motorbikes to help health workers move faster for disease surveillance and outbreak response, especially in hard-to-reach areas. Newborn Health Push: The Gender Ministry urged urgent action to reduce preventable newborn deaths, calling for stronger antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care and better protection from harmful practices. Maternal Care Upgrade: Orange Foundation and UBA Foundation refurbished the maternity ward at York Community Health Centre to strengthen maternal services and help reduce newborn deaths. Community Health + Education Project: Orange Foundation and MoCTI launched the Orange Village at Felei-Tech City in Bo, starting construction of a school and hospital for education, healthcare, and digital growth. Human Stories: A powerful report highlights discrimination faced by a mother and her autistic child in Sierra Leone, pushing back on stigma. Travel Safety Question: Another story asks whether it’s safe to travel to Africa during the Ebola outbreak, reflecting growing public concern.

Ebola Watch (Region): Uganda confirmed six new Ebola cases, bringing its total to 15; health officials say all new patients were contacts of earlier cases, with 668 people still under follow-up. Ebola Watch (DRC): In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the outbreak is reported to be expanding across provinces, with health authorities warning that control of infection chains is getting harder. Ebola Preparedness (Nigeria): Nigeria’s disease control agency says the country is only 59% ready for Ebola, citing gaps at points of entry and the risk from informal border routes. Sierra Leone Preparedness: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and NPHA received 16 motorbikes from WHO (Pandemic Fund support) to boost disease surveillance and faster outbreak response, especially in hard-to-reach areas. Maternal Health: Orange Sierra Leone refurbishes maternity services and partners hand over a refurbished maternity ward in York Community to strengthen care and reduce newborn deaths. Accountability & Health Systems: The Salone Development Scorecard was launched to track government delivery on priority targets, including healthcare, in a citizen-focused way. Newborn Deaths: Sierra Leone’s Gender Minister calls for urgent action to cut preventable newborn deaths through stronger antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care.

Disease Surveillance Boost: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and NPHA received 16 WHO-supported Honda motorbikes (via the Pandemic Fund) to help frontline teams reach remote areas faster, transport samples, and respond quickly to outbreaks. Lassa Fever Supplies: The MoH also received 18,000 ampoules of Lassa fever drugs from China to close treatment gaps in hotspot districts like Kenema, Bo, and Kailahun. Maternal Health Upgrades: Orange Sierra Leone Foundation and partners refurbished maternity services in York Community and York Village, adding improved wards, post-natal care, oxygen and solar power to strengthen newborn and labour ward care. Newborn Death Focus: The Gender Minister urged urgent action to cut preventable newborn deaths, calling for stronger antenatal, delivery and postnatal services plus action on child marriage and harmful practices. Ebola Preparedness Coordination: Health authorities held a partners’ meeting to review readiness for Ebola threats linked to the DRC and Uganda, strengthening surveillance, rapid response, and community protection plans. Community Health Access: Save the Children handed over rehabilitated maternal health facilities in Pujehun with clean water, sanitation and solar power, while Plan International distributed dignity kits to adolescent girls in Moyamba for Menstrual Hygiene Day. Public Health in the Region: WHO reports Ebola concerns in the DRC and a suspected mpox outbreak in Sudan’s Darfur camps, highlighting how conflict and overcrowding can rapidly worsen disease risks.

Ebola Preparedness in Sierra Leone: The Ministry of Health and Sanitation, with the National Public Health Agency, held a partners’ coordination meeting to strengthen Ebola readiness, focusing on surveillance, rapid response, and community protection as the DRC and Uganda situation evolves. Lassa Fever Supplies: Sierra Leone received 18,000 ampoules of Lassa fever drugs (Ribavirin) from China to help close treatment gaps in hotspot districts like Kenema, Bo, and Kailahun. Maternal Health Upgrades: Orange Sierra Leone Foundation and partners refurbished maternity services in York Community and York Village, adding labour ward/post-natal care equipment and solar power to improve newborn and maternal outcomes. Newborn Death Reduction: The Gender Minister urged urgent, coordinated action to cut preventable newborn deaths, calling for stronger antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care plus action on child marriage and harmful practices. Menstrual Health Support: Plan International distributed dignity kits to 300 adolescent girls in Moyamba for Menstrual Hygiene Day to reduce stigma and support school attendance. Regional Health Alerts: WHO declared the DRC Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, while experts warn mpox could worsen in Sudan’s Darfur displacement camps without quick action. Community Safety: A Lakeville motorcycle crash left a man seriously injured and taken to St. Luke’s Hospital.

Ebola Preparedness: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation held a second partners’ coordination meeting to strengthen readiness for possible Ebola risks, using WHO readiness checklists and focusing on surveillance, rapid response, and community protection as updates come from DRC and Uganda. Lassa Fever Supply: The MoH received 18,000 ampoules of Lassa fever drugs donated by China, targeting treatment gaps in hotspot districts like Kenema, Bo, and Kailahun. Maternal Health Upgrades: Save the Children handed over two fully rehabilitated maternal health facilities in Pujehun (Salina Samba and Messibu), adding clean water, sanitation, and solar power to improve safe childbirth and infection prevention. Adolescent Health & Dignity: Plan International distributed dignity kits to 300 adolescent girls in Moyamba for Menstrual Hygiene Day, aiming to reduce stigma and support school attendance. Community Clinics & Equipment: A Chinese medical team donated antiviral medications (18,000 vials of Ribavirin Injection) to boost capacity against Lassa fever and other infectious diseases. Health Access Through Partnerships: Orange Foundation and MoCTI launched the Orange Village project in Bo District, including plans for a school and hospital to expand education, healthcare, and technology access.

Ebola Preparedness Boost: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation held a partners’ coordination meeting to strengthen readiness for Ebola threats, using WHO readiness checklists and focusing on surveillance, rapid response, and community protection. Lassa Fever Supply: The MoH received 18,000 ampoules of Lassa fever drugs donated by China, targeting treatment gaps in Kenema, Bo, and Kailahun. Maternal Health Upgrades: Save the Children handed over two fully rehabilitated maternal health facilities in Pujehun (Salina Samba and Messibu), adding clean water, sanitation, and solar power to improve safe childbirth and infection prevention. Adolescent Menstrual Health: Plan International supported 300 adolescent girls in Moyamba with dignity kits for Menstrual Hygiene Day, aiming to reduce stigma and improve school attendance. Community Clinic Equipment: Chinese medical teams donated 18,000 vials of Ribavirin injection to help Sierra Leone tackle Lassa fever and other viral hemorrhagic fevers. Health Infrastructure for Training: Government began construction of a US$3.5m COMAHS faculty building in Kossoh Town, with labs to support future health workers.

Lassa Fever Response Boost: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health received 18,000 ampoules of donated Lassa fever drugs from China, aiming to close treatment gaps in hotspot districts like Kenema, Bo and Kailahun. Ebola Preparedness Coordination: Health authorities held a second partners’ meeting to strengthen Ebola readiness, focusing on surveillance, rapid response, and community protection as updates from the DRC and Uganda shape planning. Chinese Medical Support: A 27th batch of Chinese medical teams donated 18,000 vials of Ribavirin to reinforce capacity against Lassa fever and other infectious diseases. Maternal Health Upgrades: Save the Children handed over two rehabilitated, fully equipped maternal health facilities in Pujehun (Salina Samba and Messibu), improving water, sanitation, waste management and solar power for safer childbirth. Menstrual Health for Girls: Plan International distributed dignity kits to 300 adolescent girls in Moyamba for Menstrual Hygiene Day, targeting stigma reduction and better school participation. Africa Day Health Link: Sierra Leone marked Africa Day with a UN high-level dialogue on water availability and safe sanitation—key health and dignity priorities. Ebola Clinic Trust Concerns: Reports from the wider region highlight why attacks on Ebola clinics happen, pointing to trust issues, fear around deaths and burial practices.

Ebola Alert (DRC & Uganda): The WHO has declared the eastern DRC Ebola outbreak a global public health emergency, with nearly 1,000 suspected cases reported in Congo and related cases now flagged in Uganda—raising fears of wider spread as conflict and weak systems slow containment. Trust Crisis at Clinics: In Congo, attacks on Ebola treatment centres show how fear, rumors, and distrust—especially around deaths and burials—can derail response efforts, with health workers stressing community trust-building as a key first step. US Policy Scrutiny: A plan to send Americans exposed to Ebola to a quarantine facility in Kenya has faced legal pushback, while experts warn that delays and uncertainty could affect willingness to volunteer and the quality of care. Local Health Support (Sierra Leone): Mercy Ships’ Global Mercy nurse team has been recognized for mentoring and training local nurses in Sierra Leone, aiming to strengthen care long after the ship leaves. Maternal & Child Care Outreach: A Chinese medical team held a free clinic in Freetown, including gynecological ultrasound services for pregnant women and public health talks on disease prevention. Health System Capacity: Sierra Leone has started building a $3.5M COMAHS faculty building in Kossoh Town, with labs and space for up to 1,500 students per session. Food & Daily Survival Pressure: A CHRDI poll says many Sierra Leoneans are struggling most with the rising cost of living, alongside unreliable water and electricity.

Ebola Response in Focus: Communities in eastern DR Congo have attacked Ebola treatment facilities, with experts pointing to fear, mistrust, and confusion around death and burial practices—while the outbreak continues to expand beyond Congo, with related cases reported in Uganda. Outbreak Numbers & Spread: Health authorities say nearly 1,000 suspected Bundibugyo Ebola cases are in DR Congo, with confirmed cases and deaths also rising in Uganda, as WHO warns delays are forcing responders to “play catch-up.” Funding & Policy Pressure: Multiple reports highlight how cuts to global health support and changes in US aid and CDC/USAID operations may be weakening surveillance and response capacity. Sierra Leone Readiness: Sierra Leone’s health leadership reiterates preparedness and notes no recorded Ebola cases, while public health messaging and surveillance are being emphasized across the region. Local Health Support: A Chinese medical team delivered free clinic services in Freetown, including gynecological ultrasound for women and maternal care support, alongside disease prevention talks. Health System & Safety: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health begins a $3.5m COMAHS faculty building project, while Health Alert Sierra Leone calls for investigation into frequent building collapses in Freetown. Nutrition & Access: WFP invites suppliers for cereal processing equipment in Sierra Leone, aiming to strengthen nutrition and resilience.

Ebola Watch: Sierra Leone’s NPHA says the country has recorded no Ebola case and remains low-risk, but it has activated Level Two preparedness with intensified screening at entry points, ambulances at Lungi Airport, and a call to report symptoms via 117. Public Health Response: The Deputy Health Minister says the country is ready to handle any emergency, citing stronger diagnostics, supplies, logistics, and trained human resources. Surveillance & Travel: Government plans a digital travel portal to track travelers’ movement and health status over the past 21 days to boost outbreak detection. Community Care: A Chinese medical team held a free clinic in Freetown, including gynecological ultrasound checks for women and public lectures on disease prevention. Food & Water Stress: A CHRDI poll finds two-thirds of Sierra Leoneans struggle daily with food, water, and electricity, with cost of living the top concern. Misinformation Alert: Sierra Leone’s embassy in Saudi Arabia denies rumors of deaths among female Hajj pilgrims, saying the official contingent has no reported fatalities. Regional Alarm: Across East and Central Africa, Ebola in the DRC is driving emergency responses and raising fears of faster spread.

Ebola Funding Gap: Britain says it has pledged just £21m for the fast-growing Ebola crisis in eastern DR Congo—about 5% of what it spent during the last massive outbreak—raising fears that underfunding could slow containment. Global Emergency: WHO has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency, with cases and suspected deaths rising across DR Congo and Uganda as health officials warn the epidemic is outpacing response. US Quarantine Plan: The Trump administration says Americans exposed to Ebola may be quarantined and treated in Kenya instead of returning to the US, with officials citing faster access to care. Sierra Leone Readiness: Sierra Leone’s Deputy Health Minister and NPHA say the country has recorded no Ebola cases, is operating at heightened preparedness, and has intensified screening at entry points, with ambulances positioned at Lungi Airport and citizens urged to report symptoms via 117. Diagnostics & Surveillance: Sierra Leone’s public health labs say they remain fully operational to detect epidemic-prone diseases, and the government is rolling out a digital travel portal to track travelers’ movement and health status for the past 21 days. Community Preparedness: NPHA is partnering with traditional healers to improve Ebola preparedness and ensure suspected cases are quickly identified and linked to specialized care. Local Health Safety Note: Sierra Leone’s embassy in Saudi Arabia denies rumors of deaths among female Hajj pilgrims, saying all official female pilgrims remain in good health.

Ebola Preparedness in Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone’s NPHA says the country has recorded no Ebola case or suspected infection, but has activated nationwide measures at Level Two, including intensified screening at entry points and ambulances positioned at Lungi Airport with transport to Lungi Government Hospital; citizens are urged to report symptoms via toll-free 117. Public Health Readiness: The Deputy Health Minister Senessie says Sierra Leone is prepared using four pillars—response infrastructure, trained personnel, medical supplies/logistics, and stronger diagnostics—while the NPHA lab manager Doris Harding confirms labs in Kenema, Makeni and Freetown are fully operational and can detect the Congo Ebola strain. Travel Monitoring: Government says a digital Sierra Leone Travel Portal will track travelers’ movement and health status for the past 21 days and is expected to go live soon. Community Partnership: NPHA has launched collaboration with traditional healers to improve Ebola preparedness and ensure suspected cases are not missed at community level. Regional Alarm: Across Africa, WHO warns the Congo outbreak is spreading faster than containment, with hundreds of suspected cases and deaths reported, and neighboring countries on alert. Food Security Health: MAFS reviewed Sierra Leone’s cassava viral diseases preparedness plan to protect the staple crop and livelihoods.

Ebola Alert (DRC/Region): WHO says the Ebola outbreak is spreading faster than it can be contained, with cases and deaths rising in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, as surveillance ramps up amid conflict and mistrust. Local Readiness (Sierra Leone): Sierra Leone’s NPHA lab chief Doris Harding reassures the public that Kenema, Makeni and Freetown labs are fully operational and can detect the Ebola strain reported in Congo, with partners continuing to strengthen outbreak detection. Community Link (Sierra Leone): NPHA launches an Ebola preparedness partnership with traditional healers to improve reporting and ensure suspected cases are not missed at community level. Vaccine News (Global): Russia announces a vaccine developed for a new Ebola strain linked to the DRC, while Oxford scientists stress there are no shortcuts and contact tracing and isolation remain key. Entry Screening (US): The US expands enhanced Ebola screening at major airports for travellers arriving from affected African countries as part of a layered public health approach. Health System Trust (Liberia): Liberia faces renewed public panic after a viral audio claims Ebola arrivals, though health authorities say there are no confirmed/probable/suspected cases. Policy (Sierra Leone): Government launches a new framework to regulate drug treatment and rehabilitation centres, aiming to standardize care for substance-use disorders. Women’s Health (Sierra Leone): A Chinese medical team reports a landmark gynecological surgery in Sierra Leone—an extrafascial total hysterectomy with sacrouterine ligament suspension for severe fibroids.

Ebola Alarm, New Vaccine Claim: Russia says its scientists have developed a vaccine targeting a new Ebola strain linked to the DRC, with possible protection against the rare Bundibugyo type; meanwhile WHO warns the outbreak is moving fast, with more than 900 suspected cases and insecurity in Ituri making contact tracing harder. NPHA & Traditional Healers: Sierra Leone’s National Public Health Agency launched an Ebola preparedness partnership with traditional healers to push accurate case reporting into communities. Drug Treatment Rules: The government unveiled a new NDLEA framework to regulate drug-use disorder treatment and rehabilitation centres, aiming to standardize care and expand psychosocial services. Health & Society: Sierra Leone’s inflation hit 10.83% in April, driven mainly by housing and transport costs. Local Spotlight: Singer Vida Green publicly accused a former partner of sexual assault. Regional Travel: Jamaica issued a travel advisory urging people to avoid DRC and Uganda as Ebola spreads.

Ebola Watch: WHO says the DRC outbreak is a “race against time,” with insecurity in Ituri disrupting contact tracing as suspected cases top 900 and confirmed infections reach 101—no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain. Women’s Health Breakthrough: A Chinese medical team at the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Hospital performed Sierra Leone’s first extrafascial total hysterectomy with sacrouterine ligament suspension for a patient with massive fibroids. Women Empowerment Recognition: Dr. Rasha Kelej was named among Avance Media’s 100 Most Influential African Women for a seventh straight year, spotlighting women’s health and patient-care capacity. Local Health & Safety: Sierra Leone marked African Day 2026 with a focus on sustainable water and safe sanitation—key for public health. Cost Pressure: April inflation hit 10.83%, driven mainly by housing and transport costs.