A major workplace health intervention is underway in Sierra Leone as the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), in partnership with Ramsy Medical Laboratory, rolls out a nationwide hepatitis B screening and vaccination campaign targeting its staff.
The initiative, which commenced on Monday, April 20, 2026, at NASSIT’s headquarters on Walpole Street in Freetown, signals a growing institutional shift toward preventive healthcare as a cornerstone of productivity and employee welfare.
Leading the launch, Director General Mohamed Fuaad Daboh framed the exercise as both a health intervention and a strategic investment in the institution’s long-term performance. He noted that the sustainability of NASSIT’s mandate providing social protection services to Sierra Leoneans depends heavily on the physical and mental well-being of its workforce.
“A healthy workforce is not optional; it is essential,” he stated. “This initiative goes beyond individual health it protects the integrity and continuity of our institution. Prevention and early detection remain the most efficient and cost-effective approaches to managing diseases like hepatitis B.”
Hepatitis B remains a significant public health concern in Sierra Leone and across sub-Saharan Africa. According to health estimates, the country has a prevalence rate of approximately 13.8 percent, placing it among nations with a high burden of the disease. The virus, which affects the liver and can lead to chronic conditions such as cirrhosis and liver cancer, is often described as a “silent epidemic” because many carriers remain asymptomatic for years.
Medical experts stress that early diagnosis through screening, followed by timely vaccination for those who test negative, is critical in reducing transmission rates and preventing long-term complications.
Speaking on behalf of Ramsy Medical Laboratory, Dr Jacob Mansaray described the collaboration as part of a broader national effort to reduce hepatitis B prevalence to less than five percent by 2030, in line with global health targets.
“Corporate institutions have a key role to play in public health,” Dr. Mansaray said. “By bringing these services directly to employees, we are eliminating barriers to access and strengthening the national response to hepatitis.”
He further highlighted the laboratory’s track record, noting that Ramsy Medical Laboratory has provided clinical diagnostic services in Sierra Leone for over three decades, supporting both public and private sector health initiatives.
The ongoing exercise includes three major components: high-precision rapid diagnostic testing, vaccination for individuals who test negative, and individualized counselling sessions. Health professionals involved in the program say the counselling aspect is particularly important, as it helps participants understand their results, adopt preventive behaviours, and manage any potential health risks.
For many NASSIT staff, the initiative represents not only a medical service but also a reassurance that their employer is invested in their well-being. Management has urged full participation, emphasizing that the success of the program depends on collective involvement.
Public health advocates view such interventions as a model for other institutions in Sierra Leone, where workplace-driven health campaigns could significantly improve early detection rates and reduce the national disease burden.
As the campaign expands beyond Freetown to regional offices, it is expected to reach hundreds of employees across the country marking a decisive step toward integrating healthcare into organizational culture and national development priorities.