Health Ministry, Gavi & UN Launch HPV Vaccine Campaign

October 5, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Gavi and the United Nations, in a joint Press Release, dated 3^rd October, 2022 mentioned that in a move to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer, the Government of Sierra Leone has introduced the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine to the routine immunization schedule and launched the start of a campaign to reach 153,991 girls with the vaccine.

It was further stated that the introduction of HPV vaccine is one of the key strategies that the Government is implementing toward cervical cancer elimination in the country.

Also added was that the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) – with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO) – will administer HPV vaccines nationwide through schools, targeting 153,991 10-year-old girls, who will each receive two doses over a six-month period.

According to the Release despite the HPV vaccine providing a proven and safe tool to protect women and girls against HPV and the risk of cervical cancer, global coverage rates among 15-year-old girls remain low at 15 percent with two doses on average.

It was pointed out that the latest global immunization coverage data shows that just 12% of girls globally are receiving the crucial vaccine with immunization campaigns particularly disrupted by lockdowns and school closures.

“The Government of Sierra Leone wholeheartedly welcomes the introduction of the HPV vaccination drive and urges all to support girls ten years of age to be vaccinated and thus preventing them from cervical cancer and its consequences during the course of their entire lives”, said Dr Austin Demby, Minister of Health and Sanitation.

Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women with an estimated 266,000 deaths and 528,000 new cases each year. Around 85 percent of the global burden of cervical cancer occurs in lower income countries. According to the Sierra Leone Cancer registry, cervical cancer is the second most common, and number one killer, of all cancers among women aged between 14 and 44 years old – and in 2021, approximately 504 new cases of this deadly cancer were diagnosed.

“Today’s launch should be celebrated as a first step towards protecting girls in Sierra Leone from cervical cancer and providing them with a better chance of living longer, healthier lives and reaching their full potential,” said Thabani Maphosa, the Managing Director of Country Programmes at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “Historically, HPV coverage worldwide, but especially in lower-income countries where the cancer burden is highest, was already too low. The pandemic and school closures have taken a further toll. Supporting countries to catch up and improve HPV coverage is a critical priority Gavi moving forward and will require action on the demand- and supply-side. We look forward to working with our partners towards this goal.”

The introduction of the HPV vaccine in Sierra Leone comes after several months of thorough planning led by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation’s National Immunization Programme. In 2014, a Gavi-supported HPV vaccine pilot project was undertaken in Bo District.

This pilot demonstrated the country’s ability and readiness to implement a school-based vaccination programme nationwide. However, due to the Ebola Virus Disease and COVID-19 outbreaks, the MoHS had to postpone the introduction of the nationwide vaccine.

“The introduction of the HPV vaccine is a welcome demonstration of the collaborative efforts in Sierra Leone to support the good health of every child. Good health is a basic human right, which every child in Sierra Leone should enjoy, regardless of where they are in the country,” said UNICEF Representative, Dr. Suleiman Braimoh.

More than 55 percent of the 194 WHO Member States have introduced HPV vaccination, however in West and Central Africa the HPV vaccine has been introduced in only eight countries. With today’s launch, Sierra Leone joins the group of regional pacesetters introducing the HPV vaccine into routine immunization programs as a key strategy to prevent mortality and morbidity due to cervical cancer.

“We are in the era where no one should suffer or die from diseases that are preventable with the use of vaccines. And, as we make these lifesaving services accessible to safeguard the health of women and girls, we are also contributing to empowering the individual, the community, as well as enhancing sustainable social and economic development of the nation,” says Dr Steven Velabo Shongwe, WHO Representative in Sierra Leone. “We urge authorities and parents to ensure that their girls are protected against the distress of cervical cancer by protecting them against HPV at an early age”.

“Cervical cancer is the 2nd most frequent cancer among women in Sierra Leone. The introduction of the HPV vaccine is a momentous milestone in protecting the health of girls and reducing their risk of future illness. This campaign also provides an important opportunity to expand education and outreach to promote uptake of cervical cancer screening and treatment services by older women. Alongside HPV vaccine rollout, these services are essential to eliminating one of the most preventable cancers,” said Nadia Rasheed, UNFPA Representative.

To ensure the effective introduction of the vaccine, Gavi is supporting the procurement and installation of 463 sets of solar refrigerators to help strengthen cold chain systems and ensure that vaccines stay at optimal temperatures during shipping, storage, and delivery to vaccination points. In addition, 1,500 healthcare workers have been trained to administer this lifesaving vaccine.

Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance has worked with the MoHS and the government of Sierra Leone since 2001 to extend equitable access to immunization services to every child. This support, amounting to US$ 101 million to date, has included the procurement of vaccine doses and cold chain equipment, including for COVID-19, as well as investments in health systems and technical assistance to support routine immunization, new vaccine introductions and supplementary campaigns.

Through the leadership of the MoHS, intensive sensitization is ongoing at a community level to help raise public awareness about the HPV vaccine and uptake – focusing on the targeted age group of girls, community members and leaders, so they are empowered and informed about the tools available to prevent cervical cancer. With support from partners, a wide range of materials have also been developed to inform and respond to the questions which girls, parents, and caregivers might have about this new vaccine.

23rd Chinese Medical Team Trains Residents in Local Communities

October 5, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

Residents within the Hastings, Jui, Waterloo, Bureh, York, Wellington, and Tombo Communities benefited from First Aid Training provided by the 23rd batch of the Chinese Medical Team in Sierra Leone

The training came in the wake of the realization that most Sierra Leoneans don’t know how do an emergency first aid treatment in an emergency situation which sometimes lead to early deaths.

Dr. Zhou Xi, Head of the Chinese Medical Team intimated that in most cases when an injury or illness occurs, the decisive role of first aid is often not played by professional rescuers in the hospital but by the first responder at the initial scene. “One of the important skills is Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR),” she said and added that it can help save a life during a cardiac or breathing emergency.

“If someone is unconscious and not breathing normally, start CPR straight away, otherwise, that person will die in minutes,” Dr. Zhou remarked and continued that it is greatly necessary to train the public with first aid knowledge and skills.

“As far as we know, people here would enjoy this kind of activity and get the skill. And we can better understand each other and make friends by the way,” she said.

Ren Zhen, a Chinese Traditional Medical Doctor, who performs acupuncture used her skills to treat and train local people. She stated that they are in the country as a result of the bi-lateral ties that exist between Sierra Leone and China maintaining that they are helping in terms of giving out medical care expressing delight to treat people in vulnerable communities.

She furthered that most people she has treated complain about bodily pain, noting that because of the raining season she will advise people to enjoy the sunshine because it helps a lot.

Liu Meng, a consultant at the Sierra Leone – Chinese Friendship Hospital said he is happy to see Sierra Leoneans showing interest in learning first aid treatment skills, noting that their target areas are mainly rural communities.

Kamanda Kemoh, one of the beneficiaries residing within the Hastings Community and doubles as a Senior Nurse at the Sierra Leone – Chinese Friendship Hospital expressed optimism that his community will benefit a lot from the skills he has gained from the Chinese Medical Team, revealing further that he is grateful to see that people in his community are getting free treatments to help keep them alive and healthy.

In recent decades China has made the significant transformation from aid-recipient to aid-donor. China’s extensive foreign aid program includes eight categories: civil projects, goods and materials, technical cooperation, human resource development, health assistance, emergency humanitarian aid, volunteer programs and debt relief. Health is a critical piece of the foreign aid program and an important avenue for China’s role in global health. Health aid is delivered through the Chinese medical teams (CMTs), hospital construction, pharmaceutical and equipment donations, and public health/health security program support including malaria, and health professional training programs.

President Bio Launches National Electrification Plan Digital Platform

October 5, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

President Julius Maada Bio formally launched the National Electrification Plan Digital Platform on the 3^rd October 2022 during a high-level annual ceremony held at the New Brookfields Hotel to increase clean energy supply nationwide.

He urged the two-day roundtable deliberations to address the issues of supply, availability, reliability, affordability, financing, and investment in the energy sector, pointing to a few critical discussion points including financing of the energy sector; regional power sector integration; energy transition; the development of the Millennium Challenge Compact following a successful Threshold Programme; renewable energy mini-grids as an alternative approach to energy access; rural tariffs; and coordinated response to reliable and affordable energy access.

He also called on partners and sector players to urgently design the appropriate energy systems to address the country’s energy needs to further unlock its sustainable development potentials.

“I am honoured and delighted to welcome you to this Energy Sector Round Table. A hearty welcome to our development partners. Thank you for being a valued partner and contributing to Sierra Leone’s sustainable economic development and social progress.

“I am happy to see all the essential players in the energy sector present here this morning, and I can feel the energy in the room for fruitful deliberations. I value your impactful voices and presence at this Roundtable with the theme ‘Charting a Path to Sustainable Energy for All,” he said.

The President noted that energy was the engine that powered economies across the world, adding that the more energy economies had the more prosperous their people were. He further emphasized that the lack of energy is Africa’s most critical challenge, suffering from the world’s highest energy poverty.

“In Sierra Leone, access to electricity remains a challenge in terms of reliability and affordability. Our sustainable economic growth and prosperity depend on solving the energy crisis. It will require a more significant commitment than ever before, for our present and future depend on it.

“Despite rising global energy prices, we must continue our efforts to increase energy access to communities and productive sectors of our economy in the short, medium, and long term. We should also ensure that existing and future energy sources are reliable, efficient, affordable, and sustainable for our homes, businesses, industries, schools, and hospitals.

“I remain optimistic that despite global and local challenges, with close partnership with development partners and the private sector, our government has made significant strides in the energy sector,” he said.

Country Director for the Millennium Challenge Corporation ( MCC) Steven Grudda, said, “The MCC is delighted to be part of this event to collaborate with you all on achieving the Government of Sierra Leone’s goals on sustainable energy for all. We can only make it effective by putting in our efforts, so MCC is glad to participate here this morning. Our team is working closely with the Sierra Leone Compact Development Unit to design the compact and increase the availability of reliable and affordable electricity for all in Sierra Leone”.

“Following the successful implementation of a USD 44 million program, the MCC Board of Directors selected Sierra Leone to develop a compact in December 2020. Since then, the country team has been working closely to give the compact contract to be signed hopefully by late 2023. If achieved, this will be one of the fastest compact development processes in MCC’s history, which is a testament to the quality of work done and the strength of partnerships by MCC and the Government of Sierra Leone,” he confirmed.

World Bank Country Director for Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Liberia, Pierre Laporte, said, “I would like to thank your Excellency for extending this invitation to the World Bank Group and to congratulate your Government for organizing this energy sector event. Your presence at this event indicates the importance of the energy sector in the transformation of Sierra Leone and its people, and your participation demonstrates the commitment of your Government to achieve universal access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable electricity.

“Access to electricity is one of the drivers of self-inclusive and resilient economic development, access to clean and reliable energy is also an essential element for the United Nations agenda and an enabler for human capital development, which your Government is championing. World Bank has been a long-standing partner that will continue to support your Government’s agenda and improve its operational and commercial viability,” he said.

At The Heart Of The Matter Is How To Reduce Poverty…

October 5, 2022

By Ranger

Politicians have for the past one month being canvassing citizens to go out and register to vote in the June 2023 Local Government, Parliamentary and Presidential elections. They exhorted the people by telling them that it is their right to vote but hardly had they tell the people what they will or are supposed to get in return.

For the majority of the people who are not strongly partisan, politicians are people whose promises should be taken with a big pinch of salt because they always promise more than they give.

For the ordinary, average citizen, the reason why he/she stands in line once every five years is purely he/she wants the party and leader elected to better their lives.

For Sierra Leoneans, Government after Government since the return to democracy in 1996 has failed to deliver satisfactorily on that dream.

At the heart of the matter is, how do we reduce poverty? If our political parties and leaders genuinely asked themselves this question before coming to power, they would know that the only way to reduce poverty is to engage everyone in robust, sustained socio-economic development activities. I give an example. When the Chinese were constructing the Regent to Jui highway, they worked round the clock (3 shifts) 24-7, 365. You will never see such commitment and dedication to getting anything done in this country by our Government.

Another reason why we cannot effectively reduce poverty is because we have always taken the wrong approach – relying too heavily on doses of IMF, World Bank and donor grants to finance development that come with very heavy price tags.

It is estimated that for every grant dollar, 60 percent goes back directly and indirectly to the donor country in ways you and I know whilst failing to judiciously and responsibly invest what the country earns in promoting economic growth and development. For example, why does Sierra Leone still have to import the bulk of the food it consumes when it has all what it takes to grow and produce here and in the process create hundreds of thousands of new jobs whilst drastically reducing the country’s import bill and need for foreign exchange? (Continued next edition)

SLP Secures 100,000 Bags of Rice to Offset Backlog

October 5, 2022

By Alhaji Turay

Police Officers throughout the country recently heaved sighs of relief as it became certain that they will begin to receive their regular quota of rice, which is one bag per officer , out of over 100,000 bags of rice secured by the Force to offset a ten-month backlog of supplies.

The supplies were made possible through the support of rice contractor Ahmed Yashim aka VIP.

It must be noted that for the past ten months now the Police have been struggling to receive their usual monthly bags of rice. However, for now that has been settled under the leadership of the new Inspector General of Police IG Fayia Sellu.

With the great help of a business contractor Ahmed Yashim, IG Fayia Sellu has ensured that each officer in the country receives six bags of rice at a go in an effort to offset the backlog of ten bags of rice.

From what this medium learnt most Police Officers were extremely happy over this development.

They are also pleading with the IG and the philanthropist contractor to always consider their plight as many of them have extended families to look after.

Some of them went on to say that with their monthly bags of rice they would be able to run the homes smoothly further extending gratitude to IG Fayia Sellu and the contractor Ahmed Yashim for the timely intervention.

ECSL Extends Voters Registration Exercise

October 5, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

In a Press Statement dated 3rd October 2022 and issued by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) it was stated that the Public would recall that the Commission held a Press Conference on 7^th September 2022 about the ongoing voter registration and inter-alia highlighted some challenges that affected the registration commencement in some parts of the country.

The now states that corrective measures were adopted without major interruptions to the voter registration exercise.

ECSL continued that the second phase of the voter registration exercise has been very successful and the Commission is satisfied with the turn out and the data collection process.

The Commission, however, states that it is cognizant of the initial challenges encountered with setting up of the equipment and deployment of Staff which delayed opening of some centers across the country in the first phase of the registration process.

It furthered that consequently and pursuant to Section 169 of the Public Elections Act, 2022 (Act No.17 of 2022); the Commission hereby proclaims the following: Extend the period of voter registration by two (2) days commencing 7-8 October 2022 and the extended period will be limited to all 1,815 registration centers of the First Phase.

The Commission also stated that it will use two (2) days period (5-6 October 2022) for reconfiguration and deployment of equipment and Staff.

In light of the above, the Commission expressed appreciation to Sierra Leoneans for their peaceful participation and is encouraging those who have not registered to take advantage of the extended window to exercise their right to register.

Gento Attracts Mammoth Crowd in Central Freetown, Promises to Fight Tribalism

October 5, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

Lower Circular Road, going towards Christ Church, was bubbling with life, very noisy as people from various walks of life were seen jostling, some gathered in small groups chatting, discussing and joking in the afternoon hours of the 30^th September, 2022 as a huge crowd began converging around the Mende Mosque, said to be there, to await the arrival of Mohamed Gento Kamara, whom it has been said has shown keen interest to vie for the Mayoral Seat of the Freetown City Council (FCC). He was on his way to offer Juma Prayers.

The crowd went wild when his vehicle arrived and people from all direction rushed to shake hands with him, which from time to time he did, as he was led into the mosque by his close confidants and Muslim leaders.

After saying the Friday prayers, Mohamed Gento Kamara, addressing Traditional leaders of Western Area and the rest of the Jammah expressed his intention to aspire for the Mayoral Seat of the Municipality of Freetown.

According to the astute personality, his aspiration to contest as Mayor of the municipality of Freetown is to “break tribalism” heighten by bad politics “for far too long, there is so much tension between the tribes in Sierra Leone and we need to put an end to hypocrisy and work together to develop Sierra Leone because this is the only country we have.”

Mohamed Gento Kamara also categorically explained that his conviction to aspire for the Freetown Mayoral seat was as a result of the 10th August incident.

“Some people will not understand the impact of the August 10 incident… That incident has taken this country backward for another five years because big investment companies or banks would be afraid to invest in Sierra Leone because of instability.”

The philanthropist , who has positively impacted lives directly and indirectly further explained that bad politicians are responsible for the political tension in the country adding that the people who are most affected by such a tension are business owners because they are the cogs of the economic machinery of the State.

“For some of us, for far too long our voices were not here because we are businessmen, but I am stepping in now to fight against bad politicians and politics, this is why I don’t preach party politics but appeal to all Sierra Leoneans who believe in me to follow me”

He stated that tribal heads are an epitome of unity and a microcosm of how we should be as a nation noting that his aspiration is not to challenge the creoles but rather an opportunity for all to understand that we are all Sierra Leoneans maintaining that it will take all of us to develop Freetown come 2023.

The result oriented and charismatic personality underscored that, with his construction background, he is knowledgeable in changing utility infrastructure, an ability which he has demonstrated for over 10 years now.

Mohamed Gento Kamara informed the audience of how he strongly believes in President Bio’s commitment to develop Sierra Leone, which is why he is aspiring for the mayoral seat to help build a progressive and unified nation.

NP-SL is Committed to Importation & Marketing of Qualitative Petroleum Products

October 5, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

NP–Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is committed to continue providing qualitative petroleum products to its numerous customers right across the country.

Operating with the zest to serve, the Shareholders and Management of the company deemed it as a moral obligation to avail the people living within this country access to qualitative petroleum products believing that they are meaningfully contributing towards enhanced standards of living.

This indomitable company has gained massive local as well as international recognition for its meteoric rise and the higher height that it has attained through effective service delivery. Through its pro-active stance, the company is always ensuring that members of the general public have easy and ready access to qualitative petroleum products of high quality.

Those who have interfaced with the company have confessed that it is amongst the most successful privately owned and operated business entities this country can boast of that have withstand varying external shocks, within and without, but admirably is steadfast in its service delivery.

As a 100% indigenously owned and operated company, NP-SL has over the years, successfully extended its operations country-wide and even beyond to the West African Sub-region in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia where it is doing extremely well with regards service delivery, rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility, availing job opportunities, offering new products among a host of other things that it is churning out.

Very mindful that without their cherished customers there will be no NP-SL, the shareholders and Management have made customer care a number one priority which is why the company is synonymous with 1^st For Customer Care. With the conviction that every experience matters, the Management is very receptive to new initiatives, ideas, suggestions and concerns as long as they could help in shaping the policies that the company outlines from time to time that will be translated into tangibles on the ground.

In order to give maximum and optimal satisfaction to customers, NP-SL has always ensured that it operates in tandem with international standards and best practices so that after any service delivery customers get the good feeling that they have derived value for money. The company’s filling stations are state of the art structures having modern calibrated pumping machines that are transparent and accurate in terms of measurement.

Their attendants are well mannered, always courteous and ready to assist both old and new customers whenever they are in doubt of what to do. Most have tire repairing sections, shopping marts and relaxation points where they can spend time doing what they think is right to do. All these facilities are made available to make customers feel at home and be comfortable.

“I always carry my NP Smart Card with me just in case my car’s fuel gauge will show red and I may not exactly have the required amount of money to refill or even if I have it such could be for another purpose. With my card I can just breeze into any NP Filling Station and by using my card the attendant will pump the quantity of petrol I need,” Amadu Bangura, an engineer intimated adding how the card’s security features are unique and could not be easily falsified. “When I first heard of ‘Your fuel on Smart Card’ I thought it was a joke but only realized its efficacy when I started making use of it,” he furthered saying he is really finding it very convenient in doing so and as such prevent him from withdrawing big cash from his bank account for purchasing fuel adding how it as well help in also saving him time.

NP Gas is now the talk of the day as numerous individuals are everyday coming to the realization that it is very suitable for cooking purposes without posing any serious health risks. Manufactured in different cylinder sizes NP Gas is marketed at all the company’s filling stations and by authorized dealers going at affordable prices. Advantageously, NP Gas can be refilled with gas that the company imports and markets making them simple for customers to continue their use.

With regards rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility, NP-SL Ltd is rated high as it has been contributing effectively in improving lives and communities. The company has been making meaningful interventions, meaningfully supporting entities , like it did lately to the National Fire Force by facilitating the construction of a water facility at the Force’s Kissy Branch, in order to capacitate it with water supply to respond to any fire emergency in that part of the country and in other areas within Greater Freetown.

These interventions, worth millions of Leones, are ways by which the company is magnanimously giving back to society. Lives have indeed changed for the better as a result of NP’s interventions.

Utilizing local skills and talents has been topmost in the agenda of discussions relating to national development. The argument for embracing the Local Content Policy borders around enhancing entrepreneurship, comparatively making use of less financial resources to pay for accomplished tasks and creating job opportunities thereby reducing poverty.

NP-SL has made it an established policy to give priority, in terms of employment, to Sierra Leoneans as long as they are in positions or competent to perform. The same is replicated everywhere the company is operating. Such an acclaimed stance is contributing greatly towards poverty reduction and improving lives.

From all indications, it is very apparent that the premier oil marketing company, NP-SL-Ltd, is doggedly poised to continue to improve on its business strategies and step up interface with relevant stakeholders with the avowed aim of continuing to diligently and selflessly serve the people of this country and indeed it is walking the talking. doing exemplary well to foster meaningful socio-economic development.

NTB’s General Manager is Pulling the Strings to make Tourism a Game-Changer

October 3, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

The National Tourist Board (NTB) is an important appendage of the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs as it is charged with the responsibility of developing and promoting quality tourism through the implementation of Government’s policies and to encourage active participation of the private sector with a view of enhancing socio-economic development and poverty reduction.

It is undoubtedly one of the major functioning public entities that have been contributing immensely and meaningfully to the nation’s economy but its activities are little known of which could be attributed to the fact that since it is just an arm of the Tourism Ministry, it is the latter that always eclipses the praises when major developments are achieved.

As a semi-autonomous body, it is the professional arm of the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, which is assiduously working towards promoting the country’s tourist industry in order to enhance socio-economic development, especially with regards eco-tourism.

It must be noted that the National Tourist Board, under the dynamic steering of its result-oriented and highly professional General Manager, Fatmata Carew, has been working tremendously over the years to position the country’s tourism sector at a vantage position by making it very much attractive to foreigners who in the past showed and now have interests in exploring the potentials of the tourist industry. In that direction the NTB has made meaningful inroads in making Sierra Leone very conspicuous.

The Board has been working closely with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, to ensure that the Government’s programmes, agendas and strategic plans and policies are successfully rolled out.

Through the stewardship of the General Manager, her passion to see things done the right ways, her networking and her sense of patriotism the National Tourist Board has been hugely contributing to rebranding the country.

Worthy of note is the symbiotic relationship that exists between the Ministry of Tourism and the National Tourist Board as an Agency of the former. Together, these two female personalities have been working harmoniously with nationalistic fervor, putting ideas together, exploring avenues, establishing the right contacts and pulling strings behind the scene to ensure that tourism takes centre stage in not only rebranding the country but to make it a big changer.

Working in synergy with the Minister of Tourism and her Deputy, Madam Fatmata Carew has demonstrated leadership in repositioning the sector, now making headway in terms of product development, with nine touristic sites under development by the EIF and the World Bank.

Under her leadership style and regardless of the constraints militating against its performance, the National Tourist Board has been engrossed with the implementation of the UNDP and Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) programmes and their international programmes.

She was very instrumental in making Domestic Tourism fashionable in the country and in that respect the Board has been very proactive in building the infrastructure to support it.

Successfully, through her relentless strides, the National Tourist Board has participated in setting up both local and international platforms geared towards marketing Sierra Leone as a tourism destination.

The General Manager of the National Tourist Board, Fatmata Carew, joined NTB in April 2005 and served as Marketing and Public Relations Officer and in 2009 Marketing and PR Manager. She became Deputy GM in 2015, following public recruitment process. She holds a post-graduate degree from the Institute of Public Administration & Management (USL) – Msc, Development Management – 2009 – 2011 and a BA Honors, Political Science from FBC – 2000 – 2004.

Her industry knowledge covers the fields of: Marketing, Public Relations, Management, Marketing Strategy, Social Media Marketing, Customer Service, Leadership. She also acquired a Diploma in Destination Marketing in 2008 and a Diploma in Sustainable Tourism Development and Promotion in 2013.

One Health Platform & Partners Commemorate World Rabies Day

October 3, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

In scaling up efforts to deal with the health risk of contracting rabies as a result of the growing number of stray dogs in the country, the Government, with support from USAID – Breakthrough ACTION, the One Health Platform which consists of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry, Environment Protection Agency, Office of National Security & other partners commemorated World Rabies Day on Wednesday 28 September 2022 at the Family Kingdom Resort at Aberdeen on Freetown.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Ministry, Andrew L Sorie, stated that the World Rabies Day is a wonderful time to ponder about the virus adding that the symposium to be held will reflect on the work completed in the previous year and to commemorate the enormous victories in the fight against rabies.

The Permanent Secretary asserted that there is a variety of devoted professions with various responsibilities and approaches to the management of the disease furthering that being a zoonotic disease it brings together experts in both the management of human and animal diseases.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Theresa Tenneh Dick, in her key note address mentioned that Rabies had been in Sierra Leone since antiquity but was isolated from the brain of a rabid dog at the Teko Central Veterinary Laboratory in Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone in 1949 maintaining that Rabies also existed in Kenema, Blama, and other parts of the country later found to be endemic with the virus.

She added that the lack of veterinary staff prevented the Government from developing policies on dog ownership and management, undertaking large-scale research and awareness-raising on rabies resulting in dogs receiving limited attention from their owners.

“Some could not feed their dogs, provide treatment nor pay for a rabies vaccine,” she underscored adding that with such an obvious gap, rabies continues to take its toll on both humans and dogs.

The Deputy Minister pointed out that to combat the menace, the Government focused on vaccinating dogs in major cities and outbreak communities providing high-cost rabies vaccines for affluent dog owners, while leaving dogs from low-income earners and the public unvaccinated.

Dr. Dick disclosed that the Rabies virus has led to the death of thirteen people from 1968 to 1973, which warranted the Government to vaccinate 4700 dogs in 1974 which in turn gave prominence to the control of rabies through a national vaccination programme of dogs which was short-lived due to the hosting of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) conference in the 1980s.

She continued that the Government diverted meager resources to the hosting leaving most Government departments unable to discharge their normal duties and service.

According to her, funding allocations to Government departments dwindled and development in the veterinary sector diminished hence the inability to provide basic veterinary infrastructure and vaccination exercise for dogs and cats.

She expressed the view that no doubt difficulties and hardship followed after the hosting of the OAU conference accompanied by political injustices which brought resentment to governmental policies among the population.

Highlighting the challenges, Dr. Dick stated that policies on dog ownership and management have been abandoned since the colonial era which has led to many stray dogs on the street and has been a threat to the human health.

The Communication Manager of the Environment Protection Agency, Mrs. Fatmata Bakar Sesay stated that as September 28 is been set aside to celebrate the world rabies day that they want to overemphasize and remind everybody about the rabies virus maintaining that until the world is free from rabies we all are not safe.

She said this year’s theme; “One Health, Zero Deaths” highlights the connection of the environment with both people and animals adding that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that collaboration, coordination across all sector can be achieved.

“The integrated approaches shown in the global strategic plans for rabies and the road map are very relevant as they show the importance of working together optimally and collaboratively in facing the numeric challenges experienced in the Ebola and COVID-19 periods,” she said adding that it is therefore critical to work with stakeholders, people at community level to strengthen the country’s health sector and put all hands on deck to protect the environment.

It must be noted that Consultant Veterinarian, Dr. Gudus Jalloh, of the Sierra Leone Animal Welfare Society (SLAWS) has been on the campaign against stray animals and also on how to care for domestic pets. He has repeatedly solicited support from the MoHS, Ministry of Agriculture Livestock Division, the FCC and other partners, to lend support to rid the Freetown municipality and other parts of the country from increased stray animals, especially dogs and cats that are suspected to be carrying the rabies virus.