AGP Executive Report

Border Health & Travel: Sierra Leone has introduced a mandatory online health declaration for all travellers entering or leaving the country, effective from June 18, with forms submitted via the official Health Travel Portal within 72 hours before travel and a QR code/reference number to present on request. Education Integrity: COMAHS (University of Sierra Leone) rusticated six students and terminated six lecturers’ contracts after an investigation into examination malpractice tied to the Diploma in Nursing pre-admission process. Women’s Health & Rights: Kadijatu Balaima Allieu, whose case led to Sierra Leone being found complicit in failing to criminalise FGM, has launched a crowdfunding drive to fund her justice fight and support ending harmful practices. Ebola Preparedness: MoH and NPHA assessed Class B points of entry across several districts to strengthen screening, surveillance, referral and response readiness for Ebola threats. Nursing Capacity: A China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center opened in Freetown, starting regular training to close local nursing education gaps. Noncommunicable Disease Care: CMMB expanded its NCD initiative into Nigeria to improve access to diabetes and hypertension care in underserved settings. Heat & Health: A new report highlights extreme heat as a growing threat to city health and women’s earnings, using Freetown in its modelling. Lab Skills Training: JICA and NMIMR completed an infectious-disease lab skills training for professionals from across Africa, including Sierra Leone.

Ebola Response: WHO and Africa CDC are scrambling to contain a fast-moving Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, with a joint $518m plan focused on the Bundibugyo strain and community-led action as officials warn they’re “playing catch up.” Nursing Capacity: China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center opened in Freetown at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital, starting regular training for local nurses to close gaps in nursing education and emergency/infectious disease care. Noncommunicable Diseases: CMMB expanded its NCD Impact Initiative into Nigeria, building on its Sierra Leone work to improve access to diabetes and hypertension care in underserved settings. Public Health Preparedness: Sierra Leone’s MoH and NPHA assessed strategic Class B border points of entry for Ebola readiness, reviewing screening, surveillance, risk communication and referral systems. Maternal & Child Health: Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh highlighted child nutrition and the need for flexible financing at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference. City Health & Sanitation: Freetown City Council urged residents to stop littering and use registered waste collectors to protect public health. Local Health Workforce: Police and FSU personnel trained to strengthen investigation and prosecution of SGBV cases, with survivor-centred coordination with medical and legal services.

Ebola Response: WHO and Africa CDC are scrambling with a $518m plan to contain a fast-moving Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda, warning they’re “playing catch up” as nearly 400 deaths are reported and no approved treatment or vaccine exists. Local Health Security: Sierra Leone’s MoH and NPHA assessed Class B Points of Entry across Kailahun, Kono, Kenema and Pujehun to strengthen Ebola readiness, screening, surveillance and referral systems. NCD Care Expansion: CMMB expanded its Noncommunicable Disease Impact Initiative into Nigeria, building on its Sierra Leone rollout to improve access to diabetes and hypertension care in underserved settings. Maternal & Nursing Capacity: China launched the China–Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center in Freetown, starting a first training for over 40 nurses, with modules including emergency and infectious disease nursing. Public Health & Safety: Freetown City Council urged residents to stop littering and use registered waste collectors to protect public health. Health & Climate: A new report flags extreme heat as a major threat to city economies and health, with modelling that includes Freetown and highlights heavy impacts on women workers. Diaspora & Health: First Lady Fatima Maada Bio urged Sierra Leoneans abroad to invest in national progress, linking human capital development with healthcare. SGBV Support: Police and FSU personnel completed training to strengthen investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence cases.

Labour & Migration Rights: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security is running a 3-day Freetown workshop (6–8 July) to prepare for ratifying six priority ILO conventions and the UN Convention on migrant workers’ rights. Extreme Heat & Women’s Earnings: A new HERA report says extreme heat is draining city economies and health systems, with informal-sector women in places like Freetown losing an estimated US$57bn in earnings each year. Ebola Preparedness at Borders: The MoH and NPHA assessed strategic Class B points of entry across Sierra Leone to strengthen screening, surveillance, referral and risk communication for Ebola readiness. Public Health Emergency Readiness: Sierra Leone introduced the Architectural and Operational Readiness Gap (AORG) to measure outbreak response readiness in practice, not just on paper. Maternal & Child Health Capacity: A China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center was launched at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital, enrolling 40+ nurses for modules including emergency care and infectious disease nursing. SGBV Justice Support: Police Legal and Justice Support Department and FSU staff completed training to improve investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence cases. Sanitation & Clean City: Freetown City Council urged residents to stop littering and use registered waste collectors to protect public health.

Ebola Readiness at Borders: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and NPHA assessed key Class B Points of Entry in Kailahun, Kono, Kenema and Pujehun to strengthen screening, surveillance, referral and coordination ahead of Ebola threats. Public Health Emergency Preparedness: MoH and NPHA introduced a new Architectural and Operational Readiness Gap framework after the Bundibugyo Ebola response, aiming to measure whether outbreak plans actually work in practice, not just on paper. Nursing Capacity Boost: A China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center was launched at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital, enrolling 40+ nurses for a first training programme covering emergency care and infectious disease nursing. Infectious Disease Lab Skills: Eight laboratory professionals from six African countries, including Sierra Leone, completed JICA-NMIMR training in parasitology, virology and bacteriology to improve diagnostics and response. SGBV Case Investigation Training: Sierra Leone Police and FSU personnel received capacity-building to strengthen investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence cases with survivor-centred coordination. Child Wellbeing Campaign: SereniMind began an Africa-wide youth wellbeing push in Sierra Leone focused on children’s emotional health and how behaviour can signal unmet needs. Health & Safety in the City: Freetown City Council urged residents to stop littering and use registered waste collectors to protect public health through better sanitation. Local Health System Context: Sierra Leone’s life expectancy remains among the lowest globally, with UN data pointing to ongoing challenges in healthcare access and infectious disease burden.

Public Health Preparedness: Sierra Leone’s MoH and NPHA rolled out a new Architectural and Operational Readiness Gap (AORG) framework to measure outbreak readiness in real life, after a review during the Bundibugyo virus emergency found a big gap between having plans and being able to act fast. Clinical Capacity Building: A China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center was launched at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital in Freetown, with the first program training 40+ nurses from major hospitals in modules including emergency care and infectious disease nursing. Laboratory Strengthening: Eight lab professionals from six African countries, including Sierra Leone, completed a JICA-NMIMR infectious disease lab skills course in parasitology, virology and bacteriology to boost regional surveillance and diagnostics. SGBV Justice Support: Sierra Leone Police trained Family Support Unit investigators and court prosecutors to improve investigation, evidence handling and survivor-centred prosecution of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence cases. Maternal & Child Health Access: A local medical supply chain study highlights how better medicine allocation can improve access for pregnant women and children under five, using a low-cost decision-support approach piloted in five districts. Community Health & Safety: Freetown City Council urged residents to keep the capital clean by using registered waste collectors and avoiding littering to protect public health.

Infectious disease capacity: Eight lab professionals from six countries, including Sierra Leone, have completed a JICA–NMIMR eight-week training on parasitology, virology and bacteriology, boosting regional skills for infectious disease surveillance and diagnostics. Maternal & newborn care: A China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center has been launched at the Sierra Leone–China Friendship Hospital, enrolling 40+ nursing professionals for modules including emergency care and infectious disease nursing. Public health preparedness: The MoH and NPHA introduced the Architectural and Operational Readiness Gap (AORG) to measure outbreak readiness in real practice, not just on paper, after Sierra Leone’s Bundibugyo virus emergency review. SGBV justice support: Sierra Leone Police trained FSU investigators and court prosecutors to strengthen survivor-centred investigations and prosecution of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence cases. Child wellbeing focus: SereniMind begins an Africa-wide youth campaign on child emotional wellbeing in Sierra Leone, urging families and schools to look beyond behaviour to children’s emotional needs. Road safety & health access: President Bio pledged to upgrade the Makeni–Freetown highway into a dual carriageway, calling it a “death trap,” alongside plans to improve other major roads and feeder routes. Local sanitation: Freetown City Council urged residents to stop littering and use registered waste collectors to protect public health and keep the city clean. Health system risk signals: Sierra Leone remains among the world’s lowest life expectancy countries in UN data, with experts pointing to progress but ongoing gaps in healthcare access and outcomes. Forensic policing: The Sierra Leone Police commissioned a new Transnational Organised Crime Unit forensic laboratory to strengthen evidence-based investigations and prosecutions.

Road Safety Upgrade: President Julius Maada Bio says the Makeni–Freetown highway is a “death trap” due to fog, poor visibility and bad road conditions, and pledges work to convert it into a dual carriageway from Makeni toward Masiaka and beyond. SGBV Justice Capacity: Sierra Leone Police Legal and Justice Support Department and the Family Support Unit (FSU) complete training to strengthen investigation and prosecution of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence cases, with focus on case management, survivor-centred handling and better links between police, prosecutors and medical providers. Nursing Skills Boost: A China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center is launched at the Sierra Leone–China Friendship Hospital, starting with a two-month programme for 40+ nurses from major hospitals, covering emergency care, infectious disease nursing and more. Public Health & Cleanliness: Freetown City Council urges residents to stop littering and use registered waste collectors, saying proper disposal protects public health and supports sanitation efforts. Human Development Watch: Sierra Leone ranks 13th out of 16 in West Africa on the Human Development Index, with low scores tied to challenges in life expectancy, education and living standards. Maternal Health Support: A Cameroonian-led pan-African maternal health initiative is launched, aiming to improve care for mothers across the region.

Maternal health support: A new Angel Blanket Initiative is rolling out newborn blankets across Ghana fast—500 delivered in 48 hours, with early drops to Police Hospital and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital—paired with postnatal health guidance for mothers. Public health readiness: Sierra Leone’s MoH and NPHA introduced the Architectural and Operational Readiness Gap (AORG) to measure outbreak preparedness in real practice, after a review during the Bundibugyo virus emergency response. Safe motherhood push: MPs, health professionals and women’s advocates are urging Parliament to fast-track Sierra Leone’s Safe Motherhood Bill to tackle high maternal and newborn deaths, including calls to clarify spousal consent concerns. Justice for SGBV cases: Sierra Leone Police trained 44 Family Support Unit investigators and court prosecutors on survivor-centred handling and better case management to improve outcomes in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence prosecutions. Health system capacity: Eight laboratory professionals from six countries completed JICA-NMIMR infectious disease training in parasitology, virology and bacteriology to strengthen detection and response. Healthcare access and risk: Sierra Leone’s Human Development Index ranking remains low—13th of 16 in West Africa and 185th globally—highlighting ongoing challenges in health, education and living standards. Medical theft case: Pademba Road Court denied bail to two businessmen accused in the alleged theft of a US$37,100 medical machine as committal proceedings continue. Health sector partnerships: The U.S. Embassy in Freetown highlighted health cooperation, including electricity and internet support for rural health clinics and a malaria-focused Health Cooperation MOU signed last year.

Public Health Preparedness: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and NPHA rolled out a new Architectural and Operational Readiness Gap (AORG) framework to measure how well outbreak plans work in real life, after a Bundibugyo virus disease emergency assessment found big gaps between having systems on paper and using them during the early outbreak stage. Maternal Health Law Push: MPs, health workers and women’s advocates urged Parliament to fast-track Sierra Leone’s Safe Motherhood Bill, arguing it targets high maternal and newborn deaths and should not be confused with earlier abortion debates. Forensic Capacity: Sierra Leone Police commissioned a new Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) Forensic Laboratory at Hastings, moving forensic operations from Connaught Hospital to strengthen evidence-based investigations and prosecutions. SGBV Justice Support: The SLP trained 44 Family Support Unit investigators and court prosecutors to improve survivor-centred handling of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence cases, including evidence collection and case management. Health Crime Court Update: Pademba Road Court No. 2 denied bail to two Freetown businessmen accused in the theft of a US$37,100 medical machine, as committal proceedings continue. Clinic Supply Planning: A new low-cost machine learning tool is being used to help Sierra Leone forecast medicine demand and reduce mismatches where some facilities run out while others overstock.

Public Health Preparedness: Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Agency rolled out a new “Architectural and Operational Readiness Gap” framework to measure how ready the country is to respond to outbreaks in real life, not just on paper—after an assessment during the Bundibugyo virus disease emergency. Maternal Health Law: A coalition of MPs, health professionals and women’s advocates urged Parliament to fast-track the Safe Motherhood Bill, arguing it targets high maternal and newborn deaths and should not be confused with earlier abortion debates. Forensic Capacity: Sierra Leone Police commissioned a new Transnational Organised Crime Unit forensic laboratory at Hastings to strengthen scientific investigations and evidence-based prosecutions. SGBV Justice Support: The SLP trained 44 Family Support Unit investigators and court prosecutors to improve how sexual and gender-based violence cases are handled, including survivor-centred interviewing and better coordination with healthcare and social welfare actors. Health System Access via Tech: A Sierra Leone-linked study reports that machine learning can improve medicine access by forecasting demand and helping allocate supplies more accurately across districts. Court Update: Pademba Road Court denied bail to two businessmen accused in the alleged theft of a US$37,100 medical machine as committal proceedings continue. Regional Integration & Health Risks: ECOWAS headquarters in Abuja was inaugurated, with leaders stressing industrialisation and coordinated action on shared threats including public health emergencies.

SGBV Justice Boost: Sierra Leone Police trained 44 Family Support Unit investigators and court prosecutors in survivor-centred handling of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence cases, with focus on better case management and stronger links between police, healthcare providers and social welfare actors. Maternal Health Law Push: MPs, health professionals and women’s advocates urged Parliament to fast-track Sierra Leone’s Safe Motherhood Bill, arguing it targets high maternal and newborn deaths and should not be confused with earlier abortion debates. Forensic Crime Capacity: The Sierra Leone Police commissioned a new Transnational Organised Crime Unit forensic laboratory in Hastings to strengthen evidence-based investigations and prosecutions. Medical Supply Access via Tech: A Sierra Leone-linked study reports machine learning can improve medicine allocation in low-resource settings, with a pilot showing higher consumption of allocated products in treated districts. Food Security Procurement: WFP invited expressions of interest for a women-led enterprise to manage a food processing facility in Makeni to produce fortified complementary foods under an EU-funded infant nutrition project. Community Sanitation Drive: Freetown City Council announced a door-to-door campaign to register households and businesses for formal waste collection, warning of fines for dirty frontages. Ebola Lessons from the Past: A Kenyan paediatric nurse reflects on volunteering during the 2014–2016 Ebola response in Liberia and Sierra Leone, highlighting the human cost and the need for trust in outbreak communication.

Forensic Capacity Boost: Sierra Leone Police have commissioned a new Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) Forensic Laboratory at Hastings, moving it from Connaught Hospital to strengthen police control and evidence-based prosecutions, with trained forensic officers redeployed to revive the Kingtom lab. Maternal Health Law Push: A coalition of MPs, health professionals and women’s advocates is urging Parliament to fast-track Sierra Leone’s Safe Motherhood Bill, arguing it targets high maternal and newborn deaths and should not be confused with earlier abortion debates. Court Update—Medical Theft: Two businessmen, accused over the alleged theft of a US$37,100 medical machine, were denied bail as committal proceedings continue in Freetown. Health Security Communication: ECOWAS RCSDC has handed The Gambia a Behavioural Intelligence and Infodemic Management system to track community concerns and misinformation during health emergencies, aiming to improve trust and response. Sanitation Drive in Freetown: Freetown City Council will begin door-to-door outreach to boost registration for formal waste collection, warning property owners about fines for dirty frontages. Digital Health & Partnerships: Sierra Leone-China relations were highlighted through the partial handover of the rehabilitated National Stadium project, with officials noting China’s support across sectors including healthcare. AI Tools for Creators: Idris Elba and Google plan to provide about 100,000 African creators—including in Sierra Leone—with free Gemini AI tools worth about US$1 million to cut production costs and expand access.

Safe Motherhood Bill Push: Sierra Leone MPs, health professionals and women’s advocates have urged Parliament to fast-track the Safe Motherhood Bill, arguing it targets high maternal and newborn deaths and is being wrongly linked to earlier abortion debates, with spousal consent and community engagement among key sticking points. Student Bail Over Fake WASSCE: A Freetown court granted bail to a student accused of forging a WASSCE result, with the case adjourned to 6 July. Ebola Preparedness Lessons: Global reporting highlights how Ebola scares can trigger rapid hospital lockdowns and how fear-based messaging can damage trust; the focus is shifting toward transparency and community-first communication. Freetown Sanitation Drive: The Freetown City Council is set to start a door-to-door campaign to boost registration for formal waste collection, with warnings of fines for dirty frontages. Regional Health Security Tech: ECOWAS RCSDC handed The Gambia a Behavioural Intelligence and Infodemic Management system to track rumours and misinformation during outbreaks. Health Cooperation Transparency: ILRAJ has demanded full disclosure of a Sierra Leone–U.S. health cooperation agreement, citing missing documents and public finance concerns. Energy for Health Services: A UK-supported project with EDSA aims to improve electricity tracking and revenue collection, linking reliable power to better public services including healthcare.

Ebola Alert (UK): A suspected Ebola case at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital triggered a lockdown of the Acute Receiving Unit, but Public Health Scotland later confirmed the patient tested negative—authorities say Scotland has no confirmed Ebola cases right now and that travel-risk checks and contact tracing protocols remain in place. Ebola Response (Africa/Global): Coverage highlights how the current DRC–Uganda Ebola outbreak is being managed, with renewed focus on faster, more reliable diagnosis and stronger regional coordination as cases and deaths continue to rise. Health Governance (Sierra Leone/US deal): Sierra Leone’s ILRAJ is demanding full disclosure of a five-year health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with the United States, questioning transparency and how public funds and costs will be handled through 2030. Climate & Health (Sierra Leone): A new report on extreme heat models impacts in cities including Freetown, linking heat to lost earnings for women and pressure on health systems, while Sierra Leone’s VP Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh pushes for fair climate finance that protects energy access and health. Urban Sanitation (Freetown): Freetown City Council begins a door-to-door campaign to boost registration for formal waste collection, warning fines for poor frontage cleanliness as part of efforts to improve sanitation and public health. Extreme Heat (Global): International reporting underscores how heat is increasingly a public health emergency, with communities adapting and health systems preparing for hotter conditions.

Ebola Alert (UK): A suspected Ebola case at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital triggered emergency precautions and partial lockdown of the Acute Receiving Unit, but Public Health Scotland later confirmed the patient tested negative—showing how quickly health systems move when travel-linked symptoms raise concern. Ebola Response (Africa): Africa CDC, WHO and Uganda launched a Continental Incident Management Support Team to coordinate faster, country-led Ebola response across Uganda, DRC and nearby at-risk countries. Climate & Health (Sierra Leone): A new HERA report, using Freetown as a modeled city, says extreme heat already cuts city GDP by 4–8% and hits women hardest, with informal workers losing an estimated $57bn in earnings yearly—fueling calls for urgent heat protections. Health Governance (Sierra Leone/US): ILRAJ has demanded full disclosure of a five-year Sierra Leone–US health cooperation agreement, questioning transparency and how public funds and costs will be handled from 2026–2030. Electricity & Health Services (Sierra Leone): Sierra Leone’s Vice President says electricity access has more than doubled (16% to 34%), with plans to reach 78% coverage—linking power reliability to progress in health outcomes. Workforce (Sierra Leone): Sierra Leone’s ambassador urged newly qualified doctors abroad to return home and strengthen the healthcare system.