By: Fayia Jr. Moseray
In a concerted effort to enhance public health communication and curb misinformation around infectious diseases, Sierra Leone’s National Public Health Agency (NPHA), in partnership with key health stakeholders, has successfully concluded a week-long intensive training on health information dissemination, with a strong focus on Mpox virus communication.
Held from July 7 to 12, 2025, the training aimed to empower journalists, public relations officers, and media practitioners across the country to share accurate, credible, and fact-based health information particularly about the Mpox virus. The sessions were conducted in Port Loko, Bo, and Makeni, with support and funding from UNICEF.
The training was designed to tackle the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation, especially within the fast-paced digital and social media space. Participants were taught the importance of verifying health-related content before sharing it with the public.
Speaking at the training, Alieu Tommy, Deputy Manager of Risk Communications and Community Engagement at NPHA, emphasized the critical need for responsible information sharing by the media, especially during public health emergencies.
“As professional communicators, you must ensure that the information you disseminate especially about the Mpox virus is verified and accurate,” Tommy stressed.
“In an age where misinformation can spread faster than the virus itself, your role as journalists is not just to inform, but to protect public health through truth and accountability.”
He further explained that the training was strategic and timely, given the rapid spread of unverified content related to Mpox on social media, and called on all media professionals to uphold the ethics of journalism by avoiding the spread of misleading health information.
A representative from UNICEF at the training commended both the NPHA and participating journalists for their commitment to professional development and public health.
“You are the frontline in the fight against misinformation,” he said.
“Without the capacity to fact-check and verify information, efforts to control the spread of the Mpox virus and other health threats could be severely undermined.”
He underscored the vital role of informed media practitioners in maintaining public trust and supporting national response efforts.
Many participants expressed deep appreciation for the training, calling it a transformative experience. One journalist from Bo stated:
“Before this training, I had little understanding of fact-checking, especially in health reporting. I now know how critical it is to verify any piece of information before publishing it. This training has completely reshaped how I approach my work.”
Over 70 media professionals across the three regions were trained during the sessions. Participants pledged to put the knowledge into practice by promoting accurate health reporting, especially in relation to the Mpox virus and future outbreaks.
They collectively applauded NPHA and UNICEF for organizing the training, which they believe will significantly improve the quality of public health communication and reduce the spread of harmful misinformation in Sierra Leone.