The Deputy Statistician General of Stats SL, Lansana Kpewolo Kanneh, visited Kamakwie, Karene District, to oversee the ongoing training of enumerators and supervisors for the Comprehensive Health and Epidemiological Surveillance System (CHESS) survey. Mr. Kanneh traveled from Freetown to Karene on Saturday, 9th March 2024, to observe the training of field staff participating in the CHESS survey.
CHESS represents a new generation of population surveillance operations aimed at delivering timely, high-quality data for disease-specific and pathogen-specific morbidity, as well as overall and cause-specific mortality data.
During his visits to the various training halls, the Deputy Statistician General expressed satisfaction with the progress made in terms of facilitation and the participants’ level of knowledge. He interacted with the trainees and encouraged them to pay attention to detail, emphasizing Stats SL’s commitment to producing credible and reliable data for national decision-making processes.
Mr. Kanneh urged the field staff to fully engage in the training process to acquire the necessary data collection skills. These skills would enable them to effectively collect quality data to fulfill the objectives of the CHESS survey.
Additionally, Mr. Kanneh met with key stakeholders including the Karene District Council Chairman, Abdul Kandeh, and the media to address misinformation regarding the recruitment of field staff. He clarified the recruitment process, dispelling rumors that Stats SL had imported staff from other parts of the country rather than employing locals. Following the explanation, stakeholders pledged their support for the survey process.
The visit to Karene District not only bolstered the survey’s progress but also enhanced the reputation of Stats SL as an institution committed to delivering credible data.
It’s noteworthy that a similar training is concurrently taking place in Pujehun district, another CHESS site. The Stats SL Council Chairman, Moses Williams, and the Council Representative for the North-West Region, Alhaji Yillah, visited this district to assess the training progress and motivate trainees to deliver credible data for the CHESS survey.
© Stats SL Comms and PR Division.
