By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone – July 2, 2026: – The Ministry of Health has launched a comprehensive Medical Preparedness and Emergency Response Training for healthcare professionals ahead of the upcoming High-Level Meeting of African Heads of State, scheduled for July 12–19 at the newly built Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi.
The training, held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, brought together doctors, nurses, consultants, specialists, National Emergency Medical Service (NEMS) personnel, ambulance teams, and other healthcare professionals. The initiative aims to bolster Sierra Leone’s emergency response capacity during the continental summit.
Director of Hospital and Ambulance Services, Ibrahim Foday-Musa, welcomed participants and explained that the Honourable Minister of Health had directed the establishment of a multidisciplinary medical response team coordinated through the Office of the Chief Medical Officer. He stressed that the training would clarify roles and responsibilities to ensure seamless coordination before, during, and after the summit.
Commitment to Health and Safety
Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Dr. Patricia Bah, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the health of delegates, dignitaries, visitors, and citizens. She described healthcare professionals as the backbone of the emergency response system and encouraged active engagement to strengthen teamwork, communication, and adherence to international standards of care.
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Minister of Health I, Prof. Dr. Charles Senesie, praised Sierra Leone’s healthcare professionals as “ambassadors of the nation’s health sector.” He emphasized that the success of the summit would depend heavily on the country’s level of medical preparedness, urging participants to uphold professionalism, discipline, confidentiality, and infection prevention standards.
Technical Training Sessions
The program featured technical presentations on:
- Emergency referral systems
- Ambulance deployment for Lungi, Port Loko, and Aberdeen
- Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures including hand hygiene, early detection, waste management, and environmental cleaning
- Medical response planning for Heads of State, delegates, VIPs, and support staff
Closing remarks were delivered virtually from the UK by Deputy Chief Medical Officer–Clinical Services, Dr. Mustapha S. Kabba, who thanked participants for their commitment and urged teamwork, coordination, and operational readiness to ensure Sierra Leone delivers world-class medical services throughout the summit.
The training underscores Sierra Leone’s determination to showcase its capacity to host international events safely and effectively. With the summit drawing leaders from across Africa, the Ministry of Health’s proactive measures highlight the central role of the health sector in national security and emergency preparedness.