Health Alert Sierra Leone

20/11/2025

*The Programme Manager of Health Alert Sierra Leone, Mr. Darlton John, has reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the national strategy for eliminating cervical cancer in Sierra Leone.*

Speaking at a Roundtable Dialogue on Cervical Cancer Elimination convened by the Ministry of Health, Mr. John emphasized that Health Alert will intensify sensitization efforts, strengthen community engagement, and mobilize all available resources to contribute meaningfully to this process. He underscored the organization’s resolve to stand with partners and stakeholders in ensuring that cervical cancer prevention and control remain a national priority.

©️ *HEALTH ALERT ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATIONS DESK*

21/10/2025

https://manoreporters.com/news/health/health-alert-hosts-district-finance-officers-on-health-budget/

By Kemo ChamADVERTISEMENT The advocacy organization, Health Alert on Monday October 20th hosted finance officers of five of Sierra Leone’s district councils to discuss their health budgets. The districts – Falaba, Karene, Kenema, Bombali and Western Area Rural – are part of an initiative co-ch...

20/10/2025

Health Alert & WASHNet Convene Strategic Update Meeting with District Council Finance Officers, CSOs, and Media Representatives.

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen domestic resource mobilization for immunization and primary health care, Health Alert and WASHNet held a one-day update meeting on Monday, 20th October 2025, at the Health Alert office located at #1 Backhall Road, Freetown. This initiative is supported by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) with funding from GAVI.

The meeting brought together five district councils finance officers/Accountants from Kenema, Bombali, Falaba, Karene, and Western Rural including Districts including project coordinators, civil society organizations (CSOs), and media representatives based in Freetown. The gathering served as a critical platform for cross-district dialogue, transparency, and accountability in health financing.

Central to the discussions were updates from district council finance officials, who presented outcomes from their recently concluded bilateral budget decisions with District Health Management Teams (DHMTs). These presentations focused on allocations earmarked for primary health care and immunization services, highlighting both progress and gaps in local government commitments.

Participants engaged in constructive dialogue around budgetary trends, challenges in fund disbursement, and opportunities for improved coordination between councils and DHMTs. CSOs and media representatives underscored the importance of sustained advocacy, public awareness, and inclusive monitoring to ensure that health financing decisions translate into tangible service delivery improvements.

This meeting marks a pivotal step in reinforcing multi-stakeholder collaboration and amplifying the role of local governance in advancing equitable and sustainable health outcomes. Health Alert and WASHNet reaffirmed their commitment to supporting district-level actors through technical assistance, evidence-based advocacy.

17/10/2025

17/10/2025

https://sierraloaded.sl/news/health-alert-talks-with-gavi-epi-immunization/

On Monday, October 13, 2025, Health Alert Sierra Leone convened a high-level briefing bringing together representatives from GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the

17/10/2025

https://freetowndailynewspaper.com/at-gavis-joint-monitoring-visit-health-alert-reaffirms-commitment-on-inclusive-immunization-campaigns/

By Mohamed Konneh

17/10/2025

https://manoreporters.com/news/gavi-urges-sierra-leone-to-assume-ownership-of-immunization-programme/

By Kemo ChamADVERTISEMENT The Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) wants the Sierra Leone government to increase its share of the financial cost of procuring childhood vaccines in the face of dwindling donor support. A GAVI official said increasing the country’s share of the cost of procuring lifesaving...

17/10/2025

https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/health-alert-engages-gavi-epi-and-media-to-boost-vaccine-awareness-and-community-outreach/

By Foday Moriba Conteh Health Alert Sierra Leone has successfully convened a series of high-level engagements with representatives from GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and key media stakeholders to strengthen the country’s immunization efforts and assess pr...

14/10/2025

*Health Alert Sierra Leone Facilitates Strategic Immunisation Briefing with GAVI, EPI, and Media*

On Monday, 13th October 2025, Health Alert Sierra Leone convened and anchored a high-level briefing between representatives of GAVI, the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), and media stakeholders. Held at Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, the meeting provided timely updates on GAVI’s joint appraisal visit to Sierra Leone.

Maria Padkina, GAVI’s Senior Country Manager from Switzerland, commended Sierra Leone’s impressive strides in immunisation, noting that over 95% of children nationwide are now vaccinated. She reaffirmed GAVI’s commitment to supporting the country’s efforts to strengthen routine immunisation and health systems. Padkina also emphasized the importance of sustainability and domestic resource mobilization to preserve and build upon these gains.

Dr. Desmond Maada Kangbai, EPI Programme Manager, delivered a comprehensive overview of the current immunisation landscape. He highlighted key achievements, including the establishment of a dedicated budget line for immunisation within the Ministry of Health’s national budget. Dr. Kangbai expressed deep gratitude to GAVI for its enduring partnership and support to the people of Sierra Leone.

The engagement underscored a shared commitment to advancing child health and sustaining high immunisation coverage across the country, with media partners playing a vital role in amplifying progress and accountability.

©️ HEALTH ALERT ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATIONS DESK

09/10/2025

*Health Alert Sierra Leone Champions Advocacy for Sustainable Immunisation Financing in Gavi 6.0 Transition Dialogue Sessions organized by Ministry of Health from 8-14th October, 2025 at the Brookfiels Hotel, Freetown*

At a pivotal stakeholder engagement on GAVI project convened by the Ministry of Health at Brookfields Hotel, Health Alert Sierra Leone took centre stage in advocating for sustainable and inclusive immunisation financing as part of Gavi’s strategic transition to its 6.0 framework.

The event is happening during a Joint Monitoring and Evaluation visit to the country by Gavi delegation headed by Maria the Country Manager for Gavi funded project in Sierra Leone.
The event was organized by the Ministry of Health through the Extended Programme on Immunization (EPI), and the event brought together representatives from Senior Officials of the Ministry of Health, Civil Society Organizations, and development partners to unpack the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI's )newly announced grant extension pathways under the 5.1 framework.

Health Alert Sierra Leone in its presentation on behalf of Civil Society Organizations showcased key achievements from its GHAI-supported project funded by Gavi, such as:

- Establishment of a Parliamentary-CSO Caucus for Health and Immunization Financing, a multi-stakeholder platform fostering transparency and accountability in immunization.
- Early payment of co-financing funds for immunisation by the Government of Sierra Leone for 2025, a landmark in national ownership.
- Clear budget line allocated for immunisation within the national health budget for 2025/2026 for the first time to enhance visibility and sustainability.
- A compelling pitch and an ongoing dialogue by development partners such as Unicef, WHO, M*F and Members of parliament for a creation of a *Basket Fund* for immunisation aimed at pooling resources for predictable and equitable financing.

30/09/2025

*HEALTH ALERT SIERRA LEONE ENGAGES IN BILATERAL BUDGET DISCUSSIONS, URGES INCREASED INVESTMENT IN SOCIAL SECTORS*

Health Alert Sierra Leone, a leading civil society organization and convenor of a vibrant network of over 50 Civil Society, youth-led and community-based organisations, actively participated in the recently concluded bilateral budget discussions held from 18th to 27th September 2025. The sessions were convened by the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, bringing together Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to shape the national budget framework.

As a Network deeply rooted in grassroots advocacy, Health Alert remains particularly attentive to budgetary allocations across MDAs, especially those whose mandates intersect with health, youth empowerment, gender equity, water access, and correctional services. These sectors are critical to the wellbeing and advancement of the communities the network serves.

Following the deliberations, Health Alert Sierra Leone reiterates its call for the government to prioritize and strengthen funding to key ministries and institutions, including but not limited to:

- Ministry of Health – to bolster service delivery, disease prevention, and health systems strengthening with a special interest in immunization and primary healthcare.
- Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs – to advance protection, inclusion, and empowerment of women and children.
- Ministry of Youth Affairs – to unlock opportunities for young people through skills development, employment, and civic engagement.
- Ministry of Water Resources – to ensure equitable access to safe and sustainable water services.
- Sierra Leone Correctional Services to support humane rehabilitation, health care, and reintegration programs.