The Movement Towards Peace and Development in Sierra Leone (MoPADA -SL), with funding from CORUS on Friday 2nd May 2025 engaged the National Public Health Agency in enhancing awareness raising and prevention of M Pox in the country. The goal of the project is to contribute to the reduction in the spread of the M Pox disease through targeted support to Ministry of Health/ DHMT and sustainable awareness raising in communities.Giving an overview of the project, the Executive Director of MoPADA, Patrick Momoh underscored the importance of the project in reducing the spread of M Pox in the country. He give comprehensive detail about MOPADA operations in the county, scope and its specific project deliverables in not only educating people on public health issues but also providing livelihood to deprive and hard to reach communities.
group photoe after the engagement with NPHA
He paid special thanks to the National Public Health Agency for responses which all gears towards the reduction of M Pox. He assured the audience of their collective collaboration to ensure they complement the effort of the ministry of health and all other government bodies in the health sector.
In his presentation, the Project Manager for MOPADA, Richard Hindolo Abu said Sierra Leone has became part of the countries that is suffering from M Pox disease. He said out of 16 districts in the country, 8 have been affected by the M Pox virus. He said though there has not been any fatality, the diseases have some risk factors. He also went through the various outcomes in the project backs with key activity that will enhance the achievement of the project goal. He further explained in detail the system in which they are going capturing feedback as a way of moving forward to measure the impact of the project.
In his response the Health Education Manger in the Ministry of Health and Lead Pillar for behavior communication at the National Public Health Agency, Harold Thomas commended the effort of MOPADA for they have been doing in contributing to the health sector. He said the agency is responsible for public health related issues and they are welcoming any organization that has plans to contribute toward the sector. He said as an agency they have tailor IEC messages which they can provide interns of collaboration. He encouraged MOPADA to work with the ministry Since they are they professionals’ interns of addressing case related to M Pox. He said the activity of MOPADA for the M Pox response is in line with the agency. He said the engagement is timely looking at the M Pox case situation which is getting worse. He recalled that as of yesterday 1, 140, cumulative cases have been registered. 2- or 3-digit cases are recorded daily. He said campaign material are available to synchronies information to educate the people. Mpox is in different forms and people are now getting it through sexual transmission which raises serious concern.
In his contribution representative from COROUS Mohamed Kamara lauded the importance of partnerships and the contribution of MOPADA in the health sector. He said MOPADA is one of the trusted NGOs operating in the country. He referred to the previous project which COROUS has been part of in African. He said as a funding partner they have been around since 2022. He said plans are on its way to support National Public health Summit health summit all in the interest of health system strengthening.
Youth Communication and Community Engagement at NPHA, Alie tommy appreciated MOPADA for collaboration in such opportunity. He said there have been challenges in operating the tool free line (117) which enhances quick response to emergencies cases.
In his welcome address, Deputy Manager at the NPHA, Patrick Tommy said they are reviewing their community engagement plan and other related IEC material to fit the current situation. They are going to share their strategy but must of the MOPADA activity are in their strategy.
He called on MOPADA to work with their district structures at district level to ensure effective collaboration he said MOPADA project operational areas which are Pujehun and Kailahun are the key district with the largest crossing point.
