In a remarkable display of regional solidarity, Sierra Leone has dispatched a team of critical care professionals, including doctors, nurses, anesthetists, and emergency physicians, to Rwanda in response to the ongoing Marburg virus outbreak. This deployment underscores Sierra Leone’s commitment to global health security and its role in pan-African collaboration.

Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh emphasized the significance of this initiative in Africa’s collective battle against infectious diseases. “Sierra Leone has experienced the devastating effects of viral outbreaks firsthand. It is our responsibility to protect our citizens and extend our expertise to support our neighbors in their times of need,” said Dr. Jalloh. He further noted that Sierra Leone is one of four African countries sending emergency health personnel to assist Rwanda.

Representing the Minister of Health, Deputy Minister Dr. Charles Senessie detailed the team’s mission, which includes providing clinical care at isolation centers
, offering technical support to local healthcare workers, and implementing infection prevention protocols. Dr. Senessie highlighted that Sierra Leone’s deployment builds on its well-regarded response to past crises, such as the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the farewell ceremony, Professor Foday Sar, Executive Director of the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), praised the expertise of Sierra Leone’s medical professionals. Many were trained during the Ebola crisis and have played pivotal roles in African health emergency responses. He noted that the first contingent of specialists deployed includes intensive care, anesthesia, and emergency medicine experts, specifically trained to handle viral hemorrhagic fevers like Marburg.

This mission strengthens the response to the Marburg outbreak and underscores Sierra Leone’s growing influence in African public health. It further demonstrates the country’s commitment to fostering South-South cooperation, a key element in the global fig
ht against infectious diseases.

Source: Sierra Leone News Agency