Freetown, July 7, 2025 — In a pivotal move to update Sierra Leone’s national health data, Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has engaged the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) on the strategic implementation of the upcoming Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). The high-level meeting held at the Youyi Building in Freetown brought together key stakeholders committed to bolstering evidence-based health planning.
The gathering was graced by Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby, Statistician-General Mr. Andrew Bob Johnny, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sartie Kanneh, Deputy Minister Dr. Tom Sesay, and other senior officials from Stats SL and MoHS. Discussions centered around progress updates, budget revisions, and coordination efforts with global technical partner ICF.
Mr. Johnny shared that the DHS budget has been reviewed and that updates to the project document are underway. Dr. Demby commended Stats SL’s professionalism and reiterated the urgent need for fresh data, as the 2019 DHS report is no longer sufficient for effective program implementation. He reaffirmed the government’s unwavering support for this year’s survey execution.
Dr. Kanneh urged swift action toward finalizing the DHS contract within two weeks to ensure timely rollout. The DHS, recognized as a vital instrument for tracking national health and demographic trends, will provide crucial insights to guide policy and improve service delivery.
Stats SL and MoHS remain jointly committed to delivering accurate, updated, and actionable data to steer Sierra Leone’s health sector toward sustainable development.
Story by Stats SL Communications & PR Unit