President Bio Launches Sierra Leone’s First Ever National Public Health Agency

President Bio, in the middle, poses for photos with the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby and other top government officials.

In a giant step towards achieving universal health coverage, president of the Republic of Sierra Leone, H.E. Brig. (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, yesterday officially launched Sierra Leone’s first ever National Public Health Agency (NPHA) at the Freetown Conference Center, Bintumani in Freetown. The launch exemplifies president Bio’s unwavering commitment towards making healthcare accessible for all Sierra Leoneans irrespective of age, gender or financial status.

The president’s initiative, through the Ministry of Health, under the leadership of Dr. Austin Demby, has been hailed both locally and internationally as a significant investment in public health; one that gives citizens a beacon of hope for an effective health service delivery that is grounded in research, preparedness and timely response to emergencies.

Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, giving his speech at the launch of the National Public Health Agency.

In his remarks, the Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby, stressed the significance of the agency in achieving a healthcare system that leaves no one behind. Dr. Demby expressed excitement about the agency, noting that the institution is a pivotal step towards achieving his ministry’s transformative health service initiative, which emphasizes the need for basic essential medical care, research, training, preparedness and response that embraces all Sierra Leoneans from pregnancy to adulthood.

Professor Foday Sahr, Executive Director of the newly established agency, said that the NPHA’s principal function, among other duties, is to coordinate all public health activities and to swiftly respond to potential health crises.

Besides preparing for and responding to health emergencies, the new agency will also undertake public health research and provide much needed training for medical practitioners, two key areas of gap within the country’s healthcare ecosystem.

Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, right, sat next to President Bio during the NPHA launch at Bintumani in Freetown.

This short video gives an insight into the excitement and hopes for the newly launched public health agency.