AGP Executive Report

ECOWAS Summit Medical Readiness: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health has moved emergency teams, supplies, two fully equipped ambulances, and a Hospital on Wheels to Lungi ahead of the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre commissioning and the 2026 ECOWAS Mid-Year Summit, with doctors and nursing leadership stationed for rapid care. Hospital Capacity Boost: China donated computers, printers, and ICT equipment to support Sierra Leone’s 600-bed hospital project, now over 90% complete, to help prepare for future operations. Public Health System Strengthening: NMSA is intensifying nationwide distribution of essential medicines and medical supplies for 2026 Q1 and Q2, including Free Healthcare medicines and Ebola preparedness supplies, reaching multiple districts and referral facilities. Drug Safety Alert: A man in Kono was arrested with 104 wraps of suspected Kush during community anti-drug activities, as authorities continue efforts to curb the substance linked to deaths across West Africa. Reproductive Health Funding Fight: An AP report says new U.S. anti-abortion funding restrictions could reshape reproductive health services across Africa, raising concerns about maternal health and access to care. Legal/Health Link: Sierra Leone dropped treason charges against former President Ernest Bai Koroma on health grounds, ending a high-profile case and allowing his return. Health Access at Borders: SLCAA reminded international travellers to complete Sierra Leone’s online Health Declaration and Travel Information Form 24–72 hours before travel to avoid delays.

Public Health Systems: Sierra Leone’s National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA) has intensified nationwide distribution of essential medicines and medical supplies for 2026, starting with key referral hospitals in Freetown and expanding to over seven districts, including Free Healthcare, nutrition commodities, and Ebola preparedness supplies. Emergency Care Readiness: The Ministry of Health inspected Lungi Government Hospital ahead of the 69th ECOWAS Summit, focusing on emergency response, critical care, and newly equipped A&E and High Dependency Units. Workforce Training: A Chinese medical team delivered specialized first-responder emergency care training at Central University, supporting practical skills for nearly 150 nursing students and faculty. Health Governance: The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) concluded a leadership workshop to strengthen public health institute capacity, including surveillance, labs, emergency preparedness, risk communication, and mental health. Health Access & Coverage: Parliament has started steps to introduce a healthcare and insurance scheme for Members of Parliament, aiming to improve lawmakers’ welfare. Health Travel Compliance: SLCAA reminded international passengers to complete Sierra Leone’s Health Declaration online 24–72 hours before travel to avoid delays. Justice & Health (Local Impact): Sierra Leone dropped treason charges against former President Ernest Bai Koroma on health grounds, allowing him to return home, a move welcomed by regional leaders including Goodluck Jonathan.

Ebola Watch (DRC): The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ebola outbreak has surged past 2,000 confirmed cases and 750 deaths, with health workers threatening a strike over unpaid salaries as WHO warns the response is underfunded and the epidemic is still expanding. Ebola Support (Regional): China CDC experts have joined the international Ebola coordination effort in Uganda and the DRC, adding epidemiology, lab and clinical support to the regional response. Emergency Care Training (Sierra Leone): A Chinese medical team trained nearly 150 nursing students and faculty at Central University of Sierra Leone on first-responder emergency care, including airway management and practical simulations. Hospital Readiness (ECOWAS Summit): Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health inspected Lungi Government Hospital, focusing on the newly equipped Accident and Emergency unit and High Dependency Unit to boost emergency and critical care for summit delegates and the public. Medicines Supply (NMSA): The National Medical Supplies Agency intensified nationwide distribution of essential medicines and health supplies for 2026, including Free Healthcare medicines and Ebola preparedness items across multiple districts. Heat-Health Preparedness (Freetown): Freetown City Council launched a two-day training for frontline health workers to recognise and manage heat-related illnesses, supported by C40 Cities, as extreme heat risks rise. Health Access Policy (Parliament): Parliament moved to introduce a healthcare and insurance scheme for MPs, aiming to improve lawmakers’ welfare and working conditions. FGM Trial (High Court): Sierra Leone’s High Court opened trial of five people accused of forcibly subjecting a woman to FGM through the Bondo Society, with the case testing how existing criminal law applies to forced initiation. Travel Health (SLCAA): The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority reminded international passengers to complete the online Health Declaration and Travel Information Form 24–72 hours before travel to avoid delays.

Heat-Health Training in Freetown: Freetown City Council, with partners including the Ministry of Health’s Environmental Health Directorate and C40 Cities, trained 35 frontline workers to spot, treat, and manage heat-related illnesses as extreme heat risks rise. Medicines Supply Boost: Sierra Leone’s National Medical Supplies Agency intensified nationwide distribution of essential medicines and medical supplies for 2026 Q1 and Q2, starting with major Freetown referral facilities and expanding to multiple districts, including Free Healthcare and Ebola preparedness supplies. Public Health System Strengthening: The National Public Health Agency wrapped a three-day leadership workshop in Freetown to map gaps and action plans for stronger disease surveillance, laboratory systems, emergency preparedness, and risk communication. Ebola Support Coordination: China CDC experts joined an international Ebola response coordination platform in Uganda, adding specialist support drawn from prior Sierra Leone experience. FGM Trial Opens: Sierra Leone’s High Court began trial of five people accused of forcibly subjecting a woman to FGM through the Bondo Society, with the case testing how existing criminal law applies to forced initiation. Travel Health Reminder: SLCAA reminded international passengers to complete Sierra Leone’s Health Declaration online 24–72 hours before travel to avoid airport delays. MP Health Insurance Move: Parliament started steps to introduce a healthcare and insurance scheme for MPs, citing lawmakers’ physical, mental, and financial pressures. Ebola Travel Restrictions Abroad: The US issued temporary flight restrictions for Americans who recently visited the DRC due to Ebola risk.

Ebola Preparedness: The U.S. has imposed temporary flight restrictions on Americans who were in the DRC within the last 21 days, alongside emergency guidance as Ebola cases rise. Local Court Watch: Sierra Leone’s High Court has opened the trial of five people accused of forcibly subjecting a woman to FGM, with prosecutors alleging detention and cutting without consent. Medicines Supply: The National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA) is stepping up nationwide distribution of essential medicines and medical supplies for 2026, including Free Healthcare, nutrition commodities, and Ebola preparedness items. Public Health Systems: The National Public Health Agency (NPHA) concluded a leadership workshop to strengthen governance, surveillance, laboratories, emergency preparedness, and risk communication. Heat-Health Training: Freetown City Council trained frontline health workers to recognise and manage heat-related illnesses, with plans to build heat-health protocols and community awareness. Travel Health Compliance: SLCAA reminds international passengers to complete Sierra Leone’s Health Declaration online 24–72 hours before travel to avoid delays. MP Welfare Push: Parliament is moving to introduce a healthcare and insurance scheme for Members of Parliament, citing health and wellbeing needs. Regional Health Data: Rwanda is sharing its national health intelligence approach with Sierra Leone and other African countries to boost data-driven care.

Public Health Systems: NPHA wrapped up a three-day leadership workshop to strengthen Sierra Leone’s surveillance, lab services, emergency preparedness, and governance, aiming for a more resilient public health institute. Medicines Supply: NMSA intensified nationwide distribution of essential medicines and medical supplies for 2026’s first and second quarters, starting with key Freetown referral facilities and expanding to multiple districts. Heat-Health Preparedness: Freetown City Council trained frontline health workers to recognise and manage heat-related illnesses, with plans to scale training and improve heat response protocols. MP Welfare & Health Insurance: Parliament moved to draft a healthcare and insurance scheme for MPs to improve welfare and working conditions. Travel Health Compliance: SLCAA reminded travellers to complete the Sierra Leone Health Declaration online before departure/arrival to avoid airport delays. Regional Health Intelligence: Sierra Leone joined a South-to-South learning exchange on building national health intelligence systems, sharing lessons on owning and using health data. Ebola Care Warning (DRC): UNFPA reported maternal deaths doubling in the Ebola outbreak zone as fear keeps pregnant women away from hospitals. Politics & Health Access: Sierra Leone dropped treason charges against ex-President Ernest Bai Koroma on health grounds, clearing the way for his return.

Heat-Health Training: Freetown City Council launched a two-day training for frontline healthcare workers to spot and manage heat-related illnesses, as extreme temperatures rise and vulnerable groups face higher risk. Water Safety Alerts: Massachusetts closed 40+ beaches over bacterial concerns, a reminder that unsafe water can drive stomach, respiratory and skin problems. Legal/Health Access: Sierra Leone’s Attorney-General discontinued criminal proceedings against former President Ernest Bai Koroma; the notice says his bail ends and he can return after medical treatment. Nursing Capacity Boost: Sierra Leone and China inaugurated a Nursing Training Center at the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Hospital to strengthen national nursing standards through structured training. Regional Health Intelligence: Rwanda is sharing its national health data system know-how with Sierra Leone and other countries to improve data-driven healthcare and reduce dependence on external systems. Maternal Health Warning: In the Ebola-affected DRC, maternal deaths reportedly doubled as fear keeps expectant mothers away from hospitals—highlighting the danger of delayed care. Campus Attendance Rule: COMAHS reissued a strict 75% attendance requirement for student examinations, tightening enforcement across faculties. Anti-Trafficking Push: A UN forum heard that fewer than 1% of trafficking victims are formally identified, calling for better victim detection and protection systems. Child Protection Online: Sierra Leone’s Gender and Children’s Affairs ministry urged the public to stop sharing a viral abuse video, warning reposts worsen harm and may break child protection laws.

Legal Update: Sierra Leone’s Attorney-General has discontinued criminal proceedings against former President Ernest Bai Koroma, ending the treason case and bringing his medical bail to an immediate close, with him free to return after treatment. Maternal Health: In the Ebola outbreak epicentre in DRC’s Ituri province, UNFPA reports maternal deaths in childbirth have doubled as fear and a strained health system push expectant mothers to deliver at home. Nursing Capacity: Sierra Leone and China inaugurated a Nursing Training Center at the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Hospital, with a focus on skills transfer and strengthening the national nursing workforce. Health Data Systems: Rwanda is sharing its national health intelligence experience with seven African countries, including Sierra Leone, to help build data-driven healthcare decision-making. Child Protection Online: Sierra Leone’s Gender and Children’s Affairs Ministry urges the public to stop sharing a viral alleged abuse video, warning reposts worsen harm and may break child protection laws. Power Sector Funding: The IMF says Sierra Leone may need an extra US$42.5m this year to keep electricity flowing by covering EDSA payments to independent power producers. Regional Health Leadership: WAHO marks its 39th anniversary, calling for stronger ECOWAS cooperation, sustainable financing, and better preparedness for emerging health threats. Campus Rules: COMAHS reiterates a strict 75% attendance requirement for student examinations, saying enforcement will be tightened across departments.

Maternal Health in Ebola Hotspots: UNFPA reports maternal deaths in DRC’s Ituri province have doubled since the May Ebola outbreak, as fear and a strained system push pregnant women to deliver at home, raising “indirect mortality” from delayed emergency care. Nursing Capacity Boost: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and China launched a Nursing Training Center at the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Hospital in Freetown, with specialized courses using telemedicine and bedside clinical instruction to strengthen frontline skills. Regional Health Data Push: Rwanda is sharing its national health intelligence system with seven African countries, including Sierra Leone, to help governments own and use health data for better policy decisions. Anti-Trafficking Gap: A UN forum session heard that fewer than 1% of trafficking victims are officially identified, calling identification the key bottleneck and urging community-focused support. Health System Governance: COMAHS at University of Sierra Leone reiterates a strict 75% attendance rule for semester exams, with enforcement expanding across departments. Public Health & Safety: Sierra Leone’s RSLAF and police began a major clean-up in Lungi ahead of the ECOWAS summit, targeting sanitation and safer public spaces. Health Sector Finance Watch: NASSIT assured contributors and pensioners that pension payments remain uninterrupted despite scrutiny of some investment assets.

Nursing Workforce Boost: Sierra Leone and China have launched a Nursing Training Center at the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Hospital in Freetown, aiming to close nursing capacity gaps through structured skills transfer and professional development. Emergency Care Skills: The Chinese medical team also ran a “First Responder” emergency care training at Central University, equipping nearly 150 nursing students and faculty with lifesaving first-aid, triage, CPR, and AED response. Regional Health Push: WAHO marked its 39th anniversary with a call for stronger ECOWAS cooperation, sustainable financing, tech innovation, and better preparedness for emerging health threats. Student Attendance Rules: COMAHS has reiterated a strict 75% attendance requirement for semester examinations, with enforcement now set to be tightened across all departments. Community Health Access: WACP Liberia Chapter held a free specialist medical outreach in New Kru Town, combining consultations, screenings, referrals, and disease prevention education. Child Protection Warning: Sierra Leone’s Gender and Children’s Affairs Ministry urged the public to stop sharing a viral alleged abuse video, saying reposting worsens trauma and may break child protection laws. Health System Monitoring: A German NGO mission assessed development project impacts across Kailahun, Kenema, Bo, and Pujehun, including water and sanitation, school gardens for nutrition, and anti-drug awareness.

Community Health Access: WACP Liberia Chapter launched a free specialist medical outreach in New Kru Town, offering consultations, screenings, referrals, and public health education to boost early disease detection and prevention. Regional Health Leadership: WAHO marked its 39th anniversary, calling for stronger ECOWAS cooperation, sustainable funding, tech innovation, and better preparedness for emerging health threats. Nursing Skills Boost: China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center ran a specialized course using telemedicine plus hands-on clinical instruction, training over 40 nurses and adding practical eye-care, emergency triage, and nursing management skills. Emergency Care Training: A separate China-Sierra Leone “First Responder” program trained nearly 150 nursing students and faculty at Central University with CPR and emergency response simulations. Public Health at Borders: Sierra Leone introduced a mandatory online health declaration for all travellers via the Health Travel Portal, generating a QR/reference code to strengthen disease surveillance. Child Protection Online Harm: Authorities urged the public to stop sharing a viral alleged child abuse video, warning reposts can worsen trauma and may break child protection laws. Health Workforce & Systems: Coverage also highlights labour and work-permit administration training and broader youth mental health focus, pointing to the need for stronger health and support systems.

Emergency Health Training: A China–Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center delivered specialized courses at the Sierra Leone–China Friendship Hospital, using telemedicine links and hands-on instruction to strengthen frontline nurses’ skills in eye care and emergency triage, with over 40 nurses participating. First Aid Capacity Boost: Another Chinese medical team ran a “First Responder” emergency care training at Central University, equipping nearly 150 nursing students and faculty with lifesaving skills like CPR and emergency coordination. Public Health at Borders: Sierra Leone introduced a mandatory online Health Declaration for all travellers, requiring submission through the official Health Travel Portal within 72 hours before travel and retention of a QR code/reference number for checks. Child Protection Online: Authorities urged the public to stop sharing a viral video alleging sexual abuse of an adolescent girl, warning reposts worsen trauma and may breach child protection laws. Labour Safety & Work Permits: The Labour Ministry trained new officers on labour inspection, occupational safety and health, and work permit administration, including coordination with Constrat Systems for digitised permit processing. Youth Mental Health Focus: A call for Sierra Leone to treat youth wellbeing and mental health as development priorities highlighted how stress and distress can derail education, work, and community life.

Child Protection & Online Safety: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs is urging the public to stop sharing a viral video alleging sexual abuse of an adolescent girl, saying reposts deepen the survivor’s trauma and may break child protection laws. Emergency Care Training: A China–Sierra Leone medical team trained nearly 150 nursing students and faculty at Central University on first-responder emergency skills, including airway care and CPR, with practical simulations and certificates for those who meet standards. Nursing Skills Upgrade: The China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center delivered a specialized course at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital, using telemedicine links and bedside instruction to strengthen frontline nursing for common ear, nose, throat and eye care. Traveller Health Surveillance: Sierra Leone introduced a mandatory online Health Declaration Form for all travellers via the official Health Travel Portal, generating a QR code/reference number to support border health management. Labour & Work Permits: The Commissioner of Labour trained newly recruited officers on labour inspection, occupational safety and health, and work permit administration, including coordination with Constrat Systems for digitised permit processing. Youth Mental Health Focus: A new discussion argues Sierra Leone must treat youth wellbeing and mental health as development priorities, not only healthcare concerns.

Nursing Skills Boost: A China–Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center course in Freetown trained 40+ frontline nurses using telemedicine links and hands-on instruction, including eye care, emergency triage, and nursing management of common ENT conditions. Emergency Care Training: Another Chinese medical team ran “First Responder” emergency care training at Central University, equipping nearly 150 nursing students and faculty with lifesaving skills like airway management and CPR, plus certification for those who met standards. Border Health Rules: Sierra Leone introduced a mandatory online Health Declaration Form for all travellers, due within 72 hours before departure, generating a QR code/reference number to support disease surveillance and safer border checks. Labour Safety & Permits: The Labour Ministry trained new officers in Bo and Kenema on labour inspection, occupational safety and health, and work permit administration, including coordination with Constrat Systems for digitised permit processing. Youth Mental Health Focus: A youth wellbeing op-ed argues Sierra Leone must treat mental health as a development priority, linking stress and emotional distress to poorer education, work, and community outcomes. FGM Justice Push: A displaced FGM survivor, Kadijatu Balaima Allieu, launched a crowdfunding drive for legal fees and protection after an ECOWAS ruling found Sierra Leone complicit in failing to criminalise and act on FGM. Sanitation Support: WAICA Re donated 40 dustbins to Freetown City Council to improve waste management, with bins distributed to 20 municipal schools under the #TransformFreetown agenda.

Mental Health for Youth: A new push argues Sierra Leone must treat mental health and wellbeing as a development priority, warning that stress, anxiety, depression and trauma can derail learning, work and community life. Border Health & Disease Surveillance: Sierra Leone has introduced a mandatory online health declaration for all travellers, with forms due within 72 hours before travel and a QR/reference code required during checks. Emergency Care Training: A Chinese medical team trained nearly 150 nursing students and faculty at Central University on first responder emergency skills, including CPR and airway management, using practical simulations. Healthcare Workforce & Skills: China has also launched a nursing training centre in Freetown, aiming to strengthen local capacity for care. Health System Support in Practice: Freetown City Council received 40 dustbins from WAICA Re for school-based waste management under #DortiMusGo, linking sanitation to healthier learning environments. Access to Care & Safety: Reports highlight ongoing gaps in specialist training pathways for doctors in Sierra Leone, as some seek training abroad due to limited local options. Women’s Health & Rights: A survivor of FGM-related violence has launched a crowdfunding drive for legal fees and protection after Sierra Leone’s failure to fully act on an ECOWAS ruling.

Wildlife & Climate: Tacugama’s Willie Tucker says Sierra Leone’s western chimpanzees face mounting threats from habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade and climate change, while community livelihood support helps reduce hunting pressure. Emergency Care Training: A Chinese medical team trained nearly 150 nursing students and faculty at Central University in first-responder skills, including CPR and AED use, to close practical emergency-care gaps. Border Health: Sierra Leone introduced a mandatory online health declaration for all travellers, with a QR code/reference number required within 72 hours before travel to strengthen disease surveillance. NCD Care Expansion: CMMB expanded its noncommunicable disease initiative into Nigeria after rolling out in Sierra Leone, targeting better access to diabetes and hypertension care. Sanitation Support: WAICA Re donated 40 dustbins to Freetown City Council for school waste management under the #DortiMusGo campaign. Road Safety: A Guinea crash involving a Freetown-bound passenger vehicle killed seven and injured 13, renewing concerns about cross-border transport safety along the Guinea corridor. Women’s Health & Justice: A survivor of FGM-linked assault, Kadijatu Balaima Allieu, launched a crowdfunding drive to push for justice and protection after Sierra Leone’s ECOWAS ruling.