By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) and Statistics Sierra Leone, has officially launched the Sierra Leone Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (SiLPHIA) at the Youyi Building in Freetown, marking a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to combat HIV/AIDS.
The initiative represents a decisive step toward strengthening Sierra Leone’s HIV response through the generation of rigorous, evidence-based data that will guide national strategies, policies and targeted interventions. Health authorities say the survey will provide an accurate and comprehensive understanding of the prevalence of HIV, treatment coverage and viral suppression across communities.
Speaking during the launch, the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, PhD, MPH, engaged members of the media and Civil Society Organizations in what he described as a meaningful and productive dialogue on major healthcare transformations. He addressed public concerns within the health sector and provided clarifications on a range of issues, reaffirming his commitment to transparency, accountability and fairness.
Dr. Austin Demby emphasized that the media and Civil Society remain vital partners in ensuring quality healthcare delivery, noting that public scrutiny plays a crucial role in strengthening the system. He welcomed contributions from participants, who raised important issues relating to leadership, training and patient satisfaction.
“We will continue to listen, learn and take swift actions to solidify the numerous gains made in the health system,” Dr. Austin Demby stated.
Addressing ongoing discussions surrounding audit queries in the health sector, the Minister made it clear that such findings should not be viewed as punitive measures.
“The audit findings are not a witch hunt. They are a tool to help us be better at what we do. We are not a mirror to ourselves and these reports are for the nation to discuss and seek clarifications. We must embrace them, fix what needs fixing and learn from them as we move along,” he explained.
Dr. Austin Demby reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and revealed Sierra Leone’s ambition to surpass the global UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets by aiming for 98-98-98. He described the SiLPHIA survey as a turning point in the country’s public health journey; one that will empower communities, strengthen accountability and accelerate progress toward ending HIV as a public health threat.
He also stressed the importance of confidentiality, assuring the public that the survey has been designed to protect privacy, uphold ethical standards and build trust. According to him, tackling stigma and discrimination remains a key priority.
“Stigmatization and discrimination are the negatives Sierra Leone does not want. The purpose of SiLPHIA is to empower, not expose,” he emphasized.
As part of efforts to set the record straight on key issues within the health sector, Dr. Austin Demby highlighted several ongoing reforms and achievements. He disclosed that 11 out of 12 Government hospitals have made significant progress following the release of 30 percent of Government funding for new hospital construction. He noted that the Ministry of Health is working closely with the Ministry of Finance to deploy building supervisors who will assess progress and facilitate the release of the next tranche of funds.
The Minister also revealed that 10 out of 13 patients identified for overseas medical treatment have submitted complete documentation. He, however, noted with regret that two of the patients have passed away, while the remaining recently travelled for treatment.
On staffing concerns, Dr. Austin Demby clarified that all 59 individuals receiving salaries or other forms of remuneration are confirmed employees of the Ministry of Health, with supporting documentation available.
He further highlighted the transformation of the National Emergency Medical Services (NEMS), stating that the system has undergone major improvements since 2024. Currently, 108 ambulances are operational nationwide, all equipped with GPS tracking systems, oxygen and essential medical supplies to enhance emergency response.
In response to concerns about fairness in recruitment processes, the Minister announced the introduction of the country’s first-ever online application portal for the recruitment of 3,000 health workers, aimed at ensuring transparency and equal opportunity.
Additionally, he noted that supporting documents, including life cards and licenses, are now available for Ministry of Health vehicles and motorbikes, with steps underway to remove those that are no longer roadworthy.
Providing further insights into the survey, Brigadier General Professor Foday Sahr, a Medical Microbiologist and Lead Scientist and Principal Investigator for SiLPHIA 2026, described the initiative as Sierra Leone’s first-ever national HIV survey targeting the general population.
He explained that the survey will, for the first time, provide precise data from real households, enabling authorities to determine how many people are living with HIV, how many are receiving treatment and how many have achieved viral suppression.
Professor Foday Sahr emphasized that the data generated will offer an honest assessment of Sierra Leone’s progress toward achieving global HIV targets and will support more effective and targeted interventions.
He expressed gratitude to international partners, including the Government of the United States through PEPFAR and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as ICAP at Columbia University and Statistics Sierra Leone, for their technical and financial support.
He also commended the Health Minister for his leadership and called on Sierra Leoneans to cooperate fully with survey teams.
Participation, he noted, is voluntary and strictly confidential, with free HIV testing conducted in the privacy of participants’ homes. Individuals who test positive will be immediately linked to care and treatment, while all personal data will be anonymized and used solely to improve national health services.
“SiLPHIA 2026 is a defining chapter in Sierra Leone’s fight against HIV. The teams are in the field, the science is strong, and our people are ready. Most importantly, our country, Sierra Leone, is ready,” Professor Foday Sahr concluded.
The launch of SiLPHIA marks a historic moment in Sierra Leone’s HIV/AIDS response. By harnessing data-driven insights, the country is better positioned to combat HIV/AIDS with precision, reduce stigma, empower communities and strengthen evidence-based policymaking aimed at ending the epidemic.
