This national health summit will mark the second convening of key collaborators, partners, and stakeholders, including government officials, public health experts, healthcare providers, community leaders, and advocates. The summit aims to evaluate progress since the last gathering, share best practices and strategies such as the “One Plan, One Budget, and One Report,” and align with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024.
The health workforce remains crucial in delivering high-quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare services in the country. For the health sector to meet its goals and objectives, it largely depends on the availability of trained and qualified professionals with an appropriate skills mix and well-motivated service providers capable of delivering efficient and effective healthcare services. The health summit will provide a forum to recognize and award passionate and hardworking healthcare workers (HCWs) from their constituencies.
National Health Summit 2025 Agenda
Day 1: Status of the Health Sector
| Time | Session | Speaker/Panelists/Facilitators |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Arrival, Registration, and Networking | Emmanuella Anderson, Elleen |
| 9:00 AM – 9:10 AM | Introduction of the Chairperson Chairperson’s Opening Remarks | Ms. Emmanuella Anderson, Principal Health Coordinator Mr. Andrew Sorie, Senior Permanent Secretary Facilitators: Les Kimball Kamara, Sorie Ib Ahmed, Dan Njai |
| 9:10 AM – 9:15 AM | Objective of the Summit and Overview of the Day | Dr. Tom Sesay, Director of DPPI Facilitator: James John |
| 9:15 AM – 9:30 AM | Welcome Address | Hon. Minister Dr. Austin H. Demby, Minister of Health |
| 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Statements: – HNGO Chairperson – Civil Society Organisation Representative – HDP Chairperson – UN Resident Coordinator – Minister of Finance – Chairperson of the Parliamentary Health Committee | Ms. Sarah Cundy, Concern Worldwide Mr. Victor Lansana Koroma, Health Alert Ms. Yohan Dukhan, World Bank Ms. Seraphine Wakana Hon. Minister Sheku Fantamadi Bangura Hon. Wuyatta Songa Rapporteurs: Teopolina Nansandje, Edward Koroma |
| 10:00 AM – 10:10 AM | Interlude | National Dance Troop |
| 10:10 AM – 10:25 AM | Keynote Presentation: Status of the Health Sector: Progress and Key Lessons (2022-2024) | Dr. Sartie Kenneh, Chief Medical Officer |
| 10:25 AM – 10:50 AM | Keynote Address Launching of the National Hospital Strategy for Service Delivery Transformation Launch of the National Oral Health Strategy | H.E. Dr. Brig. Rtd. Julius Maada Wonie Bio, President of Sierra Leone |
| 10:50 AM – 11:20 AM | Photos, Exhibition, and Networking | Communication Team |
| 11:20 AM – 11:50 AM | Tea Break | |
| 11:50 AM – 1:00 PM | Presentation: Implementation and Institutionalisation of the Life Stages Service Delivery Model Panel Discussion: Institutionalising the Life Stages Model: From Framework to Everyday Practice | Presenter: Dr. Tom Sesay Panelists: Dr. Tom Sesay (Director DPPI), Dr. Francis Moses (Director DRCH), Sr. Christiana Elliot (DHS Moyamba), Dr. George Ameh (WHO Rep), Dr. Santigie Sesay (NCD) Moderator: Sibeso, UNFPA Rep |
| 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Lunch | |
| 2:00 PM – 2:10 PM | Call to Order and Introduction of Moderator | Deputy Secretary Dr. Philip Kargbo |
| 2:10 PM – 2:15 PM | Moderator Opening Remarks | Dr. Sartie Kenneh, Chief Medical Officer Facilitator: Mohammed Boi Jallo |
| 2:15 PM – 2:30 PM | Statement | Prof. Dr. med. Charless Senessie, Deputy Minister of Health 1 ICT: Samai |
| 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Mpox Now: Situation Update and Strategy to Break the Chain of Transmission | Prof. Foday Sahr, Executive Director NPHA |
| 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM | Panel Discussion: Mpox Response | Prof. Dr. Foday Sahr (Public Health Response), Dr. Mustapha Kabba (Hospital Readiness), Mr. Patrick Lansana (Community Engagement), Dr. Sylvia Fasuluku (Western Area Experience) Moderator: Dr. med. Mustapha S. Kabba (DCMO – Clinical) Rapporteurs: Ansos Boima, Hassan Benya |
| 3:45 PM – 4:15 PM | Questions and Answers | Mr. Patrick Lansana (PM CE/RCCE) |
| 4:15 PM – 4:45 PM | Voices from the Field | Dr. Sylvia Fasuluku (DMO Western Area), Mr. Nelson Johnson (Survivor), Clinician, CHW, Community Leader, Women’s Rep |
| 4:45 PM – 5:00 PM | Closing | Prof. Dr. Charless Senessie, Deputy Minister of Health 1 |
| 5:00 PM | Exhibition | All |
Day 2: Accelerating Progress Towards Universal Health Coverage 2030
| Time | Session | Speaker/Panelists/Facilitators |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Arrival, Registration, and Networking | Secretarial |
| 8:30 AM – 8:35 AM | Call to Order | Dr. Michael M. Amara, Principal Health Economist/SLeSHI TL Dr. Abdul Jibril Njai, Senior Health Financing Fellow |
| 8:35 AM – 8:50 AM | Recap of Day 1 | |
| 8:50 AM – 9:00 AM | Overview of Day 2 | Dr. Dan Okoro |
| 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Presentation: Transforming Primary Healthcare in Sierra Leone 1. PHC Model – Empowering the Community for Achieving UHC 2. Community Health Systems Strengthening 3. The “5S” Model of Health Systems Strengthening: QEHSSSP in Sierra Leone 4. Integrated Supportive Supervision (ISSV) in Sierra Leone Panel Discussion: Transforming Primary Healthcare in Sierra Leone for Comprehensive Service Delivery Across the Life Stages | Presenters: Dr. Brima O. Kamara (Director, PHC) & UNICEF, Emmanuel Osafo (Last Mile Health and CHW Hub), Dr. Evrard Nahimana (PIH) & MOH, Sr. Jattu B. Sellu (DPHC/ISSV Secretariat and GIZ) Panelists: Dr. Vandana Joshi (UNICEF), Binyman G. Hailu (WHO), Dr. Mpuma Kamanga (FAH), Dr. Steven Ngegbai (DMO BO), Dr. Brima O. Kamara (Director PHC) Moderator: Dr. Alie Wurie, DCMO, Public Health Facilitator: Khadija Valery ICT: Dr. Margaret Kapuwa, Ansumana |
| 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Tea Break |
Session 2 – Parallel
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Room 1: Health Data: Monitoring and Evaluation of the Health Sector – Health Data Systems for UHC Panelists: DPPI, UNICEF, WHO Moderator: Dr. Abdul Jibril Njai Facilitator: Sorie Samura Rapporteurs: Amie Idriss, UNICEF
- Room 2: Healthcare Financing – Sustainable Financing Mechanisms for UHC: Building on SLeSHI and FHC – Pooling and Reducing Fragmentation – Combining SLeSHI and FHC – Public-Private Partnerships for Health Sector Financing Panelists: HPU/DPPI, World Bank, FAH, PIH, UNFPA, FCDO, WHO, UNICEF, GF, GAVI Moderator: Dr. Michael M. Amara Facilitator: Abdul Razak Mansaray Rapporteurs: Abdul Karim Kamara, Sorie Ibrahim Kamara
- Room 3: NCDs and Mental Health, Elderly Healthcare, Cancers – The Childhood Cancer Support Programme – Piloting a Two-Pronged Screening in Health Facilities and Pre-Primary – The Sickle Cell Research and Advocacy Initiative – Prevalence of Psychoactive Substance Use and Its Associated Factors in Sierra Leone Panel Discussion: Upscaling PEN Plus in Sierra Leone Panelists: DNCDMH, PIH, Welbodi, Sickle Cell Advocate, Dr. Abdulai P. Jalloh Moderator: Dr. Santigie Sesay Facilitators: DNCDMH, PIH Rapporteurs: Ansos Boima, Hassan Benya
- Room 4: Supply Chain – Medicines and Health Technology – Innovations for Better Service Delivery – mSupply – Immunisation Supply Chain – Strengthening Sierra Leone’s Public Health Supply Chain Panel Discussion: Strengthening the Supply Chain for UHC in Sierra Leone Panelists: NMSA, FCDO, DPS, Chemonics Moderator: Dr. Tom Sesay Facilitators: NMSA, DPS, CHAI, UNFPA Rapporteurs: Brian Asare, Samuel Kargbo
- Room 5: Hospitals – Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare Services – Expanding Specialty Services in Sierra Leone: Commencement of Neurosurgery in Connaught Hospital – Planning and Purpose of Hospitals in Sierra Leone – Revitalising Biomedical Technology Services: From Acquisition to Safe Disposal – Pilot Point-of-Care Creatinine Strips for Early Kidney Failure Detection Presenters: Connaught Hospital Neurosurgery Team, Dr. Joshua Coker (Nephrologist, Connaught) Moderator: Dr. Mustapha S. Kabba Facilitator: Keifala Sellu Rapporteurs: Mohammed Boi Jallo, Edward Koroma
| 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch Break |
Session 3 – Parallel
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
- Room 1: Digital Health – Digital Health Solutions for UHC – Enhancing Data Collection and Reporting with Digital Health – The Digital Innovation in Pandemic Control (DIPC) Panel Discussion: Challenges and Solutions for Scaling Digital Health in the Health Sector Panelists: UNICEF, DPPI, GIZ, SMART Health Moderator: Dr. Alie Wurie Facilitators: DPPI – Digital Health Coordinator, GIZ, ICT Rapporteurs: Teopolina Nansandje, Joan Koroma
- Room 2: Climate and Environmental Health – Climate and Health Literacy Tool – Building Climate Resilience Health System in Sierra Leone – WASH System Strengthening for Quality Service – Inclusive and Sustainable WASH through the WASH FIT Model – The Strengthening WASH Systems for Health Project (2024-2027) Moderator: Dr. Sylvia Fasuluku Facilitator: Munir Koroma Rapporteurs: Amie Idriss, UNICEF
- Room 3: Health Workforce – Building a Stronger Midwifery Workforce Through Curriculum Development, Policy, and Training – Special Opportunity to Enhance Maternal Health Research Capacity – Informatics Curriculum Boosts Outbreak Response Skills Among Epidemiologists – Nationwide Study Shows Task-Sharing Expanded Rural Surgical Access via Associate Clinicians – Closing the Gap in Maternal Mortality: Investing in Midwifery Presenters: Mustapha Sonnie (Seed Global Health), Candace Beoku-Betts (King’s College London and Welbodi Partnership), Bridget Magoha (African Field Epidemiology Network), Kosse Dasselaar (Capacare), CNMO/Dr. Dan Okoro Moderator: Mrs. Banadette Amara, DHRH/GIZ Facilitator: Keifala Sellu Rapporteurs: Brian Asare, Samuel Kargbo
- Room 4: Gender Mainstreaming and Human Capital Development for Universal Health Coverage – Gender Mainstreaming in the Health Sector – Young Lives Community Mentoring Reduced Maternal/Perinatal Mortality and Empowered Adolescent Mothers – Association of FGM/C with Maternal and Neonatal Birth Outcomes – HCD Advocacy Strategy for Health Presenters: Emmanuella Anderson (MOH), Mangenda Kamara (USL), Dr. Joan H. Shepherd (Former Principal Midwifery School), Dr. Mariama Mustapha (Consultant) Panel Discussion: Implementation of the GEWEE Act in the Health Sector Panelists: Dr. Sarah Kamara (DMO Kambia), UN-Women Consultant, HCD+ Africa, Director of HCD Office of the President, Betty Alpha (Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs), UNFPA Moderator: Dr. Sa’id Giaya, FAH Facilitator: Munir Koroma Rapporteurs: Mannh (UNFPA), Joan Koroma
- Room 5: Service Delivery – The CRADLE Device Improves the Detection and Management of Maternal Hypertension Nationwide – Facility Readiness Study to Improve Oxygen Therapy in Paediatric Pneumonia Care – Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) – From Strategy to Evidence: Child Survival Action Plan – The Sierra Leone Integrated Routine Immunisation: Safeguarding Lives through Vaccination Project Presenters: Jenny (Welbodi Partnership), Dr. Lynda Farma-Grant/Dr. Frank Chikhata, Dr. Ike Ogbuanu, ABUBAKARR SOWE (FOCUS 1000) Moderator: Frank Chikhata (CHAI), Dr. Saudatu Abdulai Facilitator: Sorie Samura Rapporteurs: Amie Idriss, UNICEF
Session 4 – Parallel
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- Room 1: Status of the Health Workforce in Sierra Leone – Health Labour Markets Analysis – Findings Presenter: DHRH/WHO Panel Discussion: Addressing the Health Workforce Shortages in the Health Sector Panelists: Director HRH-MoH, GIZ, Seed Global Health, CHAI Country Director Moderator: Dr. Abdul Jibril Njai Facilitator: Abdul Razak Mansaray Rapporteurs: Abdul Karim Kamara, Sorie Ibrahim Kamara
- Room 2: Infectious Diseases: Malaria, TB, HIV, NTDs – Malaria Prevalence Among Children 6-59 Months by Region – Advances in TB Diagnosis and Treatment – HIV Care and Prevention Strategies Moderator: Dr. Santigie Sesay Facilitator: Keifala Sellu Rapporteurs: Brian Asare, Samuel Kargbo
- Room 3: Eye Health, ENT, and Oral Health – Strengthening Eye Health Services in Sierra Leone – ENT Care Expansion – Implementation of the National Oral Health Strategy Moderator: Dr. Sylvia Fasuluku Facilitator: Munir Koroma Rapporteurs: Ansos Boima, Hassan Benya
- Room 4: Service Delivery – Quality of Care: Assessing Healthcare Infrastructure – Referral Systems (NEMS) – Women, Children, and Adolescent Health (WCAH) Commitment – Community Engagement – ReBuild Panelists: CHAI, DRCH, NEMS, QOC Moderator: Dr. Francis Moses Facilitator: Sorie Samura Rapporteurs: Amie Idriss, UNICEF
Day 3: Health Planning and Coordination
| Time | Session | Speaker/Panelists/Facilitators |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Arrival, Registration, and Networking | Secretariat |
| 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Recap of Day 2 Overview of Day 3 | Dr. Frank Chikhata, CHAI Dr. Tom Sesay, Director DPPI |
| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Health Care Governance: Strengthening Coordination, Leadership, Partnerships, and Alignment The Organogram of the MOH – Roles and Responsibilities, Communication Channels, and Coordination Structures: HSSG, HSCC Panel Discussion: Strengthening National and Subnational Leadership and Governance | Presenters: Dr. Sartie Kenneh (CMO), Mr. Andrew Sorie (PS), Public Sector Reform Unit, HRMO – PSC Facilitator: Dr. Tom Sesay, Director DPPI Rapporteurs: Teopolina Nansandje, Edward Koroma |
| 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Tea Break | |
| 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Multi-level Integrated Planning: Case Studies and Strategies (One Policy, One Plan, One Budget, One Report) Presentation of the Annual Work Plan | Dr. Tom Sesay (Director, DPPI), Planning, M&E Rapporteurs: Ansos Boima, Hassan Benya |
| 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Key Recommendations and Action Plans Summary of All Key Discussion Points and Action Points from the Health Summit | Teams: UNFPA/DPPI, Dr. Dan Okoro, Dr. Tom Sesay, Dr. Abdul Jibril Njai Rapporteurs: Brian Asare, Samuel Kargbo |
| 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Business Meeting – MOH and Partners’ Commitments All Country Directors and Heads of Agencies Commit to Action Points Closing Remarks | Dr. Sartie Kenneh (CMO), Mr. Andrew Sorie (PS) Rapporteurs: Abdul Karim Kamara, Sorie Ibrahim Kamara |
| 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Summit Closing and Vote of Thanks | Hon. Minister Dr. Austin H. Demby (Minister of Health), CNMO, Hon. Vice President Rapporteurs: Amie Idriss, Joan Koroma |
| 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Lunch / Networking & Exhibition Viewing | All |
Call for Sponsorship
We invite organizations to partner with us as sponsors for our upcoming national health summit. Your support will help make this event a success. Join us in improving health outcomes for all.
For more information on how to support, please contact:
- Mr Mahmoud Gassama
Phone: +232 76 612824‬ - Ms Elleen Tucker
Phone: +232 88 277513 - Email: healthsummit@mohs.gov.sl
We look forward to discussing your support!