Sierra Leone is currently struggling with a rapid increase in mpox infections, prompting urgent appeals for support from the United States and other international bodies. The health crisis has arisen as the total number of infections across Africa has surpassed last year's figures, placing enormous strain on local health systems.
In January, Sierra Leone's health officials opted to treat mpox patients at home, a decision intended to encourage those suffering from other health issues like malaria and pregnancy complications to seek timely medical help. Unfortunately, this strategy backfired as the highly contagious virus spread rapidly in densely populated urban centers, affecting all 16 regions of the country, including the capital, Freetown.
In response to the soaring case numbers, the government has established several isolation and treatment centers, but they are quickly running out of beds and have access to only a small fraction of the necessary vaccines. A public health initiative focused on tracing and tracking potentially exposed individuals was halted in April due to budget constraints, leaving the health ministry's urgent vaccine request largely unaddressed.
According to Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, overseeing the mpox response for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Sierra Leone’s health system was already fragile before the outbreak, and the ongoing financial crisis coupled with declining international aid has exacerbated the situation.
In January, Sierra Leone's health officials opted to treat mpox patients at home, a decision intended to encourage those suffering from other health issues like malaria and pregnancy complications to seek timely medical help. Unfortunately, this strategy backfired as the highly contagious virus spread rapidly in densely populated urban centers, affecting all 16 regions of the country, including the capital, Freetown.
In response to the soaring case numbers, the government has established several isolation and treatment centers, but they are quickly running out of beds and have access to only a small fraction of the necessary vaccines. A public health initiative focused on tracing and tracking potentially exposed individuals was halted in April due to budget constraints, leaving the health ministry's urgent vaccine request largely unaddressed.
According to Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, overseeing the mpox response for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Sierra Leone’s health system was already fragile before the outbreak, and the ongoing financial crisis coupled with declining international aid has exacerbated the situation.
