Freetown, Sierra Leone – Members of Parliament have issued a strong call for immediate and decisive action to combat the growing Mpox outbreak, while raising concerns over the country’s health system capacity to respond effectively.
On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby appeared before Parliament, summoned under Section 107(2) of the 1991 Constitution, to provide an update on the government’s response to the outbreak and outline plans to break the chain of transmission.
Dr. Demby described the situation as a “serious concern,” reporting that the outbreak, which began in January with just two cases, has now surpassed 2,000 confirmed infections. He emphasized the importance of avoiding body contact and practicing regular handwashing as key preventive measures, while noting that vaccines, currently available in the country in quantities of about 63,000, are an important line of defense.
The Minister expressed concern over the lack of public compliance with health directives. “With support from Parliament and the Public, Sierra Leone healthcare systems will be one of the best in the world,” he stated. He also announced plans to relocate infected persons to healthcare facilities for treatment and promised forthcoming regulations to strengthen the health sector.
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Hon. Bernadette Wuyatta Songa, praised the country’s preparedness but said better legislation and public awareness were needed. She highlighted the lack of consistent public health education, especially on Mpox, and criticized the increasing number of MPs seeking treatment abroad. “Mr. Speaker, we are doing well as a nation regarding our healthcare systems,” she concluded.
Hon. Unpha Sorie Koroma urged the Ministry to intensify nationwide public education campaigns. “The vaccine is a good step in the right direction, but it would not stop you from getting the virus and much more needs to be done in our health sector,” he warned.
Hon. Bashiru Silikie expressed concern that no vaccine exists for children under 12 and asked what measures were in place to protect them. Hon. Mustapha Fayia Sellu stressed the need for a community-based approach, referencing the successful Ebola response. He pressed the Minister on treatment plans and public engagement efforts.
Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara criticized the near-collapse of the National Emergency Medical Services (NEMS) and called for reforms in ambulance services and drug regulation. “Ministry of Health should not be begging the Ministry of Finance for the health conditions of our people,” he said, urging the Ministry to crack down on illegal drug vendors and address systemic issues like delayed issuance of pincodes.
Hon. Quintin Salia-Konneh questioned whether adequate funding exists to establish and sustain Mpox treatment centers. Hon. Mariama Bangura cautioned against politicizing the crisis, stating, “the life of our people is in danger particularly in the slum communities.”
Opposition Leader II, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma, called for the enforcement of health measures such as handwashing and criticized the lack of progress in improving emergency medical services. “NEMS and the Ambulances were meant to resolve some major challenges in the health sector, but that has not been forthcoming,” he said.
Hon. Abdul Kargbo urged collaboration with religious and traditional leaders and the introduction of byelaws to stop the virus from spreading. “Let us ask and plead to experts for technical support in combating the virus,” he added, while calling for stronger cross-border controls and more vaccines.
Concluding the debate, Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, reiterated the government’s commitment to curbing the outbreak. “We need to change our mindset regarding the health sector,” he said, and stressed the need for regional cooperation. He raised concerns over the rapid rise in cases in the Western Area and questioned what steps could be taken to break the chain of transmission and eradicate the virus entirely.
The session ended with a unified call for immediate, strategic interventions to tackle the Mpox outbreak and reform the nation’s emergency health systems.
