By: Mohamed Sahr
In a concerted effort to address Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Sierra Leone, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners recently held a symposium under the theme: “Antimicrobial Resistance as a Public Health Emergency in Sierra Leone: A Call for Coordinated Action.”
Dr. Ameh George, WHO Country Representative, extended his gratitude to the Honorable Ministers, the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), and all partners who have worked tirelessly with the health sector to combat AMR. “Your efforts have not gone unnoticed and are greatly appreciated,” he noted.
He also expressed sincere appreciation to the United Kingdom Government, through the Department of Health and Social Care, for its generous and unwavering support to Sierra Leone in advancing the fight against AMR. “Their commitment has been instrumental in achieving significant progress in this critical area of public health,” Dr. George added.
He noted that the symposium reflects Sierra Leone’s commitment to a comprehensive, multisectoral approach to tackling AMR. Similarly, the theme of this year’s AMR Awareness Week, “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future,” underscores the urgent need for collective action to safeguard the health of current and future generations.
This forum provided a critical opportunity to reflect on achievements, identify gaps, and chart a coordinated pathway forward. Dr. George emphasized that the recommendations from the symposium would help shape national priorities and mobilize additional resources to strengthen AMR response in the country.
Dr. Ameh said there significant progress has been made in Sierra Leone’s fight against AMR, including establishment of AMR laboratories at Connaught Hospital and Makeni, and a national reference laboratory at Ola During Children’s Hospital (ODCH). Submission of AMR-related data to the WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) for the first time, integrating Sierra Leone into the global surveillance network.
By joining GLASS, Sierra Leone has enhanced its visibility and opened opportunities for collaboration, technical support, and resource mobilization. Continuous and consistent reporting remains vital to sustaining these gains.
Antimicrobial resistance continues to pose a serious threat to modern medicine. It undermines maternal and child health, compromises food safety, increases healthcare costs, and puts immense pressure on health systems. In Sierra Leone, rising AMR complicates the delivery of cost-effective public health services, pushing vulnerable populations further into poverty.
Addressing AMR requires a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Sierra Leone has benefitted from increasing engagement by development partners, including private sector actors, making coordination and unified implementation more essential than ever.
WHO remains committed to working alongside the Ministry of Health, NPHA, UN agencies, and other partners to strengthen AMR surveillance capacity. Promote responsible antimicrobial use and reinforce stewardship measures at all levels.
Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health extended his appreciation to the WHO and key partners for their tremendous support in strengthening Sierra Leone’s health system especially advancing the fight against AMR in the country.
He underscored the significant role of developing partners in the response of antimicrobial prevention and control as part of the strategy in achieving the Universal Health Coverage.
Dr. Demby highlighted that the symposium underscored the urgency of sustained, coordinated action to combat AMR. Strengthening national ownership, diversified financing, and continued emphasis on the One Health approach remain critical to ensuring long-term resilience against this growing threat.
Saeed M. Soleman, Health Adviser at the British High Commission, highlighted the global threat of AMR and emphasized the UK’s role in combating it.
He said through the Fleming Fund, the UK has strengthened AMR surveillance and laboratory capacity in human and animal health. Trained healthcare professionals in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). Enhanced veterinary capacity and promoted responsible agricultural practices to prevent resistant pathogens from entering the human population
While the current Fleming Fund programme concludes in March 2026, AMR remains a strategic priority for the UK, which continues to champion global efforts, including the Global AMR Innovation Fund, and collaborates with WHO, FAO, and WOAH to advance the One Health agenda.
Dr. Ike Ogbuanu, Principal Investigator of CHAMPS (Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance), highlighted ongoing research on AMR. Since 2019, CHAMPS has collected postmortem samples to test for AMR in stillbirths and under-five deaths.
CHAMPS now operates in Bo (southern Sierra Leone) and Bombali (northern Sierra Leone). Findings show 90–100% resistance to certain antimicrobials, with data shared with key decision-makers at the MOH and WHO
Dr. Ogbuanu reaffirmed CHAMPS’ commitment to collaboration with the MOH, WHO, FCDO, FAO, NPHA, EPA, and other partners to scale up evidence generation, data dissemination, and tested interventions to reduce AMR in Sierra Leone.