AGP Executive Report

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.

Ebola Alert Escalates in Congo: The WHO says the DRC’s Ebola outbreak is moving fast, with 900+ suspected cases and 101 confirmed as conflict in Ituri is disrupting contact tracing and driving mistrust. Funding Boost: The Gates Foundation pledges $15m for a faster, cross-border response, backing Africa CDC and WHO frontline operations. Sierra Leone Context: Liberia has publicly denied Ebola cases after false reports sparked panic in Sierra Leone, while Sierra Leone’s health push also includes community action on maternal and child deaths via Paramount Chiefs. Other Health Signals: A separate report highlights a rare hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship, reminding travellers that outbreaks can spread quickly when containment is delayed. Sports & Health Governance: Sierra Leone’s cricket team gets anti-corruption and anti-doping guidance ahead of qualifiers.

Ebola Alert Escalates in Congo: WHO chief Tedros says DRC’s Ebola response has identified 900+ suspected cases, including 101 confirmed, as conflict in Ituri forces people—and health workers—to flee, disrupting contact tracing and fueling mistrust. Funding Push: The Gates Foundation pledges $15m for a faster, coordinated “one plan, one budget, one team” response across DRC/Uganda and regional partners. Sierra Leone Context: Liberia publicly denies any Ebola cases after social media panic, while Sierra Leone continues community health work, including a maternal and child initiative using Paramount Chiefs and local by-laws. Education & Health Policy: Sierra Leone also begins verification of disabled tertiary students to protect benefits under the Persons with Disability Act. Sports & Integrity: ICC briefs Team Sierra Leone on anti-corruption and anti-doping ahead of qualifiers.

Ebola Response Under Fire in Congo: WHO says violence in DRC’s Ituri province is disrupting Ebola containment, with surveillance now flagging 900+ suspected cases and 101 lab-confirmed infections; Tedros warns fleeing civilians and health workers are making contact tracing and early care harder, while fear and mistrust add more barriers. Funding Boost: The Gates Foundation pledges $15 million for the response, backing Africa CDC, WHO frontline support, and rapid procurement and diagnostics. Regional Calm Call: Liberia’s health authorities deny any Ebola cases after social media rumours sparked panic in Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone Health Moves: The Ministry of Health is working with Paramount Chiefs on local by-laws to cut maternal and child deaths and raise immunisation, as part of the “Triple Zero” push. Other Health Watch: A separate report highlights how cities are rehearsing for deadly heat—useful, but it won’t replace real disaster readiness.

Ebola Alert Escalates: The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with WHO warning it’s likely much larger than early counts and harder to contain due to violence and insecurity. Gates Funding: The Gates Foundation pledged an initial $15 million to support the “one plan, one budget, one team” regional response, including Africa CDC and WHO frontline support. Sierra Leone Response Moves: Sierra Leone is pushing community action on maternal and child health by partnering with Paramount Chiefs on local by-laws, while the disability commission begins nationwide verification of disabled university students to protect education benefits. Controversy in Kenema: First Lady Fatima Bio faces backlash after joining a Bondo Secret Society parade in Kenema, with critics calling it a contradiction to her women’s rights advocacy. Human Rights Abroad: Sierra Leone Telegraph reports Malawians held in Myanmar scam compounds are subjected to forced labour and coercion, urging Myanmar to dismantle the network. Immigration Shock: Sierra Leone also received its latest US deportation flight, with officials saying returnees will be housed and sent back within weeks.

Ebola Alarm, But Not for Sierra Leone Yet: Liberia’s health authorities moved fast to deny social-media claims of Ebola cases, urging calm and warning against unverified posts that could spark panic across the border. DRC Crisis Deepens: Meanwhile, the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is being treated as a fast-moving emergency, with WHO warning it may be much larger than early counts and that insecurity is slowing containment. Disability Rights at Universities: In Sierra Leone, the National Commission for Persons with Disability has started nationwide verification of disabled students in tertiary institutions to protect benefits under the Persons with Disability Act. Maternal Health, Chiefs on Board: The Health Ministry is also partnering with Paramount Chiefs on local by-laws to push pregnant women to seek early care and boost immunisation. Healthcare Support in Focus: The Chief Minister inspected Falaba projects, admitting gaps in roads, water and power, while also praising the Global Mercy Ship’s impact on surgeries and training. Sports Integrity: ICC briefed Team Sierra Leone on anti-corruption and anti-doping ahead of qualifiers. Migration Pressure: Sierra Leone received a first US deportation flight with nine migrants, who say detention left them traumatised.

Ebola Response in DRC: WHO says the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading fast, with hundreds of suspected cases and rising deaths, and containment is being made harder by violence and insecurity. Maternal & Child Health: Sierra Leone’s Health Ministry is partnering with Paramount Chiefs, using local by-laws to push pregnant women to seek early care and to raise immunisation uptake under the “Triple Zero” push. Deportations & Health Services: Nine deported migrants arrived in Freetown from the US, with health officials saying detainees were traumatised during detention and will be housed while they return home. Sports Integrity: ICC briefed Team Sierra Leone on zero tolerance for corruption and doping ahead of qualifiers. Governance & Transparency: Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission highlighted progress on public access and integrity monitoring at OGP Week. Health Financing: Sierra Leone’s Health Minister urged fair, fast pandemic funding at WHA79, warning preparedness must be tied to everyday health systems.

Ebola Response Hits a New Gear: WHO says the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with cases and deaths rising fast and containment made harder by violence and insecurity—plus no approved vaccine or targeted treatment for this rare strain. Sierra Leone Health Watch: As the region braces, Sierra Leone is also pushing for stronger pandemic financing at WHA79, arguing preparedness must be funded before crises explode. Migration Pressure on Health Systems: Sierra Leone received its latest US deportation flight—nine migrants from Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea and Senegal—described as traumatised after detention; they’ll be housed in a hotel while authorities coordinate returns. Governance & Accountability: Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission highlights open governance gains at OGP Week, stressing citizen access to government work. Regional Security: ECOWAS talks in Abuja keep spotlighting cross-border cooperation to tackle terrorism and border crimes. Global Health Politics: WHO members also noted Argentina’s withdrawal letter, signaling shifting support for international health bodies.

Ebola Alert in DRC: WHO says the new Ebola emergency in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is “particularly worrying,” with suspected deaths and cases rising fast and the outbreak driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain—currently with no licensed vaccine or targeted treatment—so health teams are racing on surveillance, contact tracing, and lab testing. Health Funding Push: Sierra Leone’s Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby urged fair, rapid pandemic financing at WHA79, pointing to the need for strong everyday health systems and warning that fuel-price shocks and supply uncertainty can hit preparedness. Nutrition Support: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pledged $25m to UNICEF’s Child Nutrition Fund, matched to $50m total, with Sierra Leone included. Deportations & Care: Sierra Leone received nine migrants deported from the US under Trump’s crackdown; officials say they’re traumatised and will be housed while returns are arranged. Regional Security: ECOWAS members, including Sierra Leone, are pushing tighter cross-border cooperation to tackle border crimes and terrorism. Local Health Integrity: Makeni Regional Hospital launched an internal probe after allegations of nurses demanding petty payments from patients’ relatives.

Ebola Alert: The WHO says suspected Ebola in DR Congo and Uganda has surged to about 600 cases and 139 suspected deaths, with the rare Bundibugyo strain driving the outbreak—no vaccine or targeted treatment—so health authorities are being urged to tighten surveillance at major entry points. Child Protection: World Vision warns children in DR Congo are at grave risk as the outbreak spreads in Ituri, where displacement, overcrowding, and limited healthcare make transmission control harder. Sierra Leone Preparedness & Funding: Sierra Leone’s Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby pushed for faster, fair pandemic financing at WHA79, stressing that preparedness must be built on everyday health systems and domestic funding. Regional Security & Trade: ECOWAS is deepening cross-border cooperation, while Nigeria says it will help operationalise the AU maritime task force for the Gulf of Guinea—countries including Sierra Leone are listed among early participants. Nutrition Boost: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pledged $25M to UNICEF’s Child Nutrition Fund, matched to $50M total, with support reaching Sierra Leone. Local Health Integrity: Makeni Regional Hospital launched an internal probe after allegations of nurses demanding petty payments from patients’ relatives.

Ebola Emergency Escalates: WHO says the DRC’s rare Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has reached about 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths, with health facilities in eastern provinces overwhelmed and the situation declared a public health emergency of international concern. Cross-Border Alarm: Two confirmed cases and a death have been reported in Uganda, while experts warn the outbreak may have been spreading for weeks undetected. Sierra Leone Migration Pressure: Sierra Leone received nine US-deported migrants this week under ECOWAS-linked third-country arrangements, while Ghana announced a support package for 300 evacuees from South Africa after xenophobic attacks. Health System Focus: Sierra Leone’s Makeni Hospital launched an internal probe into allegations of nurses demanding money from patients’ relatives. Nutrition Boost: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pledged $25m to UNICEF’s child nutrition fund, including support for Sierra Leone.

Ebola Alarm in Congo: The WHO has declared the Congo outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern as deaths in eastern DRC climbed to 131 and suspected cases passed 513, with the rare Bundibugyo strain and no targeted vaccine or treatment yet; fears are rising that the virus spread for weeks undetected amid conflict and displacement. Sierra Leone Health Focus: In Makeni, hospital management launched an internal probe after allegations that some nurses demanded small payments from patients’ relatives. Child Nutrition Boost: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pledged $25 million to UNICEF’s Child Nutrition Fund, matching a 2025 gift to support nutrition for mothers and children, including programs in Sierra Leone. Deportations Continue: Sierra Leone received nine migrants deported from the U.S. under the Trump crackdown, with authorities saying they will be housed temporarily and expected to return home within two weeks. Maternal Safety: A Sierra Leone study highlights a simple screening approach to flag bleeding and sepsis risk after childbirth early enough to save mothers.

Ebola Alert Escalates: The WHO has declared the fast-growing Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern as deaths climb to about 131 and suspected cases pass 500, with fears the rare Bundibugyo strain is spreading faster than first detected—especially in conflict-hit, hard-to-reach areas where people may have gone undiagnosed for weeks. Sierra Leone Readiness: Sierra Leone has strengthened entry screening and readied rapid response teams across all districts, urging the public to report symptoms quickly and avoid risky contact. US–Sierra Leone Migration: Nine migrants deported from the US landed in Freetown under a third-country arrangement, with officials saying they are being housed and supported while awaiting onward return. TB Funding Push: African MPs met to urge more domestic funding to reduce donor dependence in the TB fight.