Assessment of the epidemic preparedness and response capacity in Sierra Leone
Introduction: In recent times, natural disasters and disease outbreaks have struck various countries increasing morbidity and mortality rates. Sierra Leone, one of the three West African countries that was hit greatly by the 2014 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak was not adequately prepared for...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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African Field Epidemiology Network
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.afenet-journal.net/content/series/5/2/8/full/ |
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| author | Mohamed Vandi Delia Akosua Bandoh Kofi Mensah Nyarko Tete Amouh Virgil Kuassi Lokossou Simon Antara |
| author_facet | Mohamed Vandi Delia Akosua Bandoh Kofi Mensah Nyarko Tete Amouh Virgil Kuassi Lokossou Simon Antara |
| author_sort | Mohamed Vandi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: In recent times, natural disasters and disease outbreaks have struck
various countries increasing morbidity and mortality rates. Sierra Leone, one of the
three West African countries that was hit greatly by the 2014 Ebola Virus Disease
(EVD) outbreak was not adequately prepared for the outbreak. As parts of efforts to
improve preparedness and response to public health in West Africa, The Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS) adopted approaches such as
strengthening of their disease surveillance systems through capacity development and
implementing the International Health Regulations, 2005. Objective: We assessed the
epidemic preparedness and response capacity of Sierra Leone three years after the EVD
outbreak. Methods: We conducted interviews with various representatives of the
major stakeholders involved in the emergency preparedness and response and carried
out record reviews in Sierra Leone from April to July 2018. Results: Sierra Leone has
a number of effective plan and policies developed and implemented to improve
epidemic preparedness and response. The directorate of Health Security and
emergencies under the Public health directorate of the ministry of health provides
overall coordination of public health emergency preparedness and response in the
country. Conclusion: Sierra Leone has made some significant strides on public healthrelated efforts since the 2014 outbreak. However, the absence of an EOC serves as a
limiting step to achieving the required preparedness the country needs. Again, over
reliance on international partners could affect to the sustainability of their gains made
if not addressed effectively. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ead5fa8d4040459ba99736b01e98c9a8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2664-2824 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | African Field Epidemiology Network |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-ead5fa8d4040459ba99736b01e98c9a82025-08-20T03:47:52ZengAfrican Field Epidemiology NetworkJournal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health2664-28242022-12-0154https://doi.org/10.37432/jieph.supp.2022.5.4.05.8Assessment of the epidemic preparedness and response capacity in Sierra LeoneMohamed Vandi0Delia Akosua Bandoh1Kofi Mensah Nyarko2Tete Amouh3Virgil Kuassi Lokossou4Simon Antara5Public Health Emergency Operation Center, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra LeoneGhana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, AccraAfrican Field Epidemiology Network, Freetown, Sierra LeonePublic Health Emergency Operation Center, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra LeoneECOWAS Regional Center for Disease Surveillance and Control, Abuja, NigeriaAfrican Field Epidemiology Network, Kampala, Uganda (AFENET)Introduction: In recent times, natural disasters and disease outbreaks have struck various countries increasing morbidity and mortality rates. Sierra Leone, one of the three West African countries that was hit greatly by the 2014 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak was not adequately prepared for the outbreak. As parts of efforts to improve preparedness and response to public health in West Africa, The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) adopted approaches such as strengthening of their disease surveillance systems through capacity development and implementing the International Health Regulations, 2005. Objective: We assessed the epidemic preparedness and response capacity of Sierra Leone three years after the EVD outbreak. Methods: We conducted interviews with various representatives of the major stakeholders involved in the emergency preparedness and response and carried out record reviews in Sierra Leone from April to July 2018. Results: Sierra Leone has a number of effective plan and policies developed and implemented to improve epidemic preparedness and response. The directorate of Health Security and emergencies under the Public health directorate of the ministry of health provides overall coordination of public health emergency preparedness and response in the country. Conclusion: Sierra Leone has made some significant strides on public healthrelated efforts since the 2014 outbreak. However, the absence of an EOC serves as a limiting step to achieving the required preparedness the country needs. Again, over reliance on international partners could affect to the sustainability of their gains made if not addressed effectively.https://www.afenet-journal.net/content/series/5/2/8/full/sierra leonejoint external evaluationpreparednessepidemics |
| spellingShingle | Mohamed Vandi Delia Akosua Bandoh Kofi Mensah Nyarko Tete Amouh Virgil Kuassi Lokossou Simon Antara Assessment of the epidemic preparedness and response capacity in Sierra Leone Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health sierra leone joint external evaluation preparedness epidemics |
| title | Assessment of the epidemic preparedness and response capacity in Sierra Leone |
| title_full | Assessment of the epidemic preparedness and response capacity in Sierra Leone |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of the epidemic preparedness and response capacity in Sierra Leone |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of the epidemic preparedness and response capacity in Sierra Leone |
| title_short | Assessment of the epidemic preparedness and response capacity in Sierra Leone |
| title_sort | assessment of the epidemic preparedness and response capacity in sierra leone |
| topic | sierra leone joint external evaluation preparedness epidemics |
| url | https://www.afenet-journal.net/content/series/5/2/8/full/ |
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