By: Mohamed Sahr
The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and development partners, on Tuesday, 25th November 2025, held a national Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Workshop at the Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
Described as a “silent pandemic,” AMR threatens decades of medical progress. In Sierra Leone where health systems are still recovering from the Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks the risk is particularly concerning. Misuse of antibiotics in human health, agriculture, and livestock, combined with limited access to clean water, sanitation, and diagnostics, fuels the spread of resistant infections.
The workshop adopted a One Health approach, bringing together healthcare professionals, policymakers, environmental specialists, and community leaders. Discussions aimed to dispel common misconceptions about antibiotic use such as taking antibiotics for viral infections and to reduce the widespread practice of self-medication.
Participants reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR, including improving surveillance, regulating antibiotic use, and strengthening laboratory capacity. Stakeholders agreed that engaging communities and the media is essential for making AMR a widely understood public health concern.
WHO Health Systems and Services Acting Team Lead, Binyam Hailu, emphasized that the workshop was a critical step in addressing a global health threat. He noted that raising awareness is only the beginning:
“The workshop’s success lies in turning awareness into action strengthening regulations, investing in infrastructure, and ensuring equitable access to medicines. It is a call to act now before AMR makes common infections untreatable.”
WHO Infection Prevention and Control Specialist, Bobson Derrick Fofanah, highlighted key challenges, including shortages of trained personnel, medicines, and diagnostic tools. He also pointed to weak regulatory systems and limited public awareness as obstacles to combating AMR effectively. He stressed that sustained funding, continuous training, and long-term monitoring are essential.
Fofanah outlined several opportunities for progress, including partnerships with WHO, CDC, and international NGOs; the use of mobile health platforms to educate the public; promotion of safe traditional remedies; improved sanitation infrastructure; and linking AMR reduction efforts to economic development.
He recommended establishing a national AMR monitoring system, enforcing prescription-only antibiotic sales, incorporating AMR education into medical curricula, expanding community outreach in local languages, and securing increased government and donor support.
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to translate awareness into meaningful action. While Sierra Leone faces significant challenges, participants agreed that with strong political will, community involvement, and sustained investment the country has the potential to become a leader in AMR response in the region.