By Sallieu S, Kanu
Sierra Leone – January 28, 2026: UNICEF and the Mastercard Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, have launched a nationwide verification and geo-mapping exercise for Community Health Workers (CHWs). The initiative, unveiled at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown, brought together government officials, development partners, and health sector stakeholders.
Opening the ceremony, Dr. Brima Osio Kamara, Director of Primary Health Care at the Ministry of Health, praised CHWs as the first line of defense against common illnesses such as malaria and typhoid. He emphasized the importance of the exercise in addressing challenges facing CHWs, including qualifications, commitment, and community coverage. “The goal is to know who the CHWs are and where they operate,” he said, thanking UNICEF and partners for funding the initiative.
UNICEF Country Representative Rudolf Schwenk highlighted the critical role CHWs play in reaching hard-to-access communities. He noted that for many children, CHWs are the first and sometimes only health professionals they encounter. “Community Health Workers are not only the backbone of Primary Health Care, they are a vital link between children, families, and the health system,” Schwenk said. He added that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening national systems and delivering results for children in last-mile communities.
Schwenk disclosed that the exercise involves verifying more than 6,000 CHWs and geo-mapping over 2,000 into a national digital registry. This, he explained, will improve planning, targeting, and accountability, ensuring that children in need are reached more effectively.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alieu Wurie underscored the importance of CHWs in bridging gaps between communities and health facilities. He noted improvements since their institutionalization, including increased clinic visits by pregnant women and greater community involvement in distributing bed nets. “CHWs are community people trained to deliver services where facilities are far away. We are now thinking of expanding their scope and role,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister of Health Professor Charles Senesie described CHWs as the frontline in combating disease outbreaks and pandemics. He emphasized the ministry’s move toward digitalization, noting that Sierra Leone will be the first country to geo-map CHWs. “A problem identified is a problem solved. This exercise gives us the opportunity to close data gaps and improve healthcare delivery,” he said.
Professor Senesie stressed that the initiative aims to leave no one behind, accelerate quality healthcare delivery, and strengthen Sierra Leone’s primary health care system.