PHA Strengthens Health Reporting Capacity

By: Sulaiman Jalloh

Sierra Leone’s National Public Health Agency (NPHA) has successfully concluded a nationwide six-day training on Infodemic Management for nearly 70 health communicators, including 20 members of the Health Reporters Network Sierra Leone (HRN-SL).
The training, held from July 7 to 12, took place across three regional capitals Port Loko, Makeni, and Bo and aimed to equip journalists and public health communication officers with the knowledge and tools to counter misinformation and promote accurate health information.
With support from UNICEF and Africa CDC, the initiative addressed the critical role of communication in combating public health crises, particularly the ongoing Mpox epidemic, which continues to severely affect Sierra Leone.
As of July 12, the country had recorded approximately 4,701 confirmed Mpox cases and 35 deaths, according to data from the NPHA. The agency noted that widespread misinformation has significantly undermined efforts to control the outbreak, hence the need for capacity building among media and health communication professionals.
During the training, participants were introduced to the Community Listening Tool, a mobile app developed by the NPHA with UNICEF support, designed to help monitor and report misinformation for timely responses by relevant authorities.
NPHA officials underscored the essential role journalists play in health communication and expressed a strong commitment to continued collaboration with the HRN-SL in promoting accurate and professional health reporting across the country. “Journalists are the first point of call for information by the public. After this training, we expect a more informed and professional dissemination of verified health information,” said Alieu Tommy, Deputy Manager for Risk Communication and Community Engagement at NPHA.
About HRN-SL:
Founded in 2019, the Health Reporters Network Sierra Leone (HRN-SL) is a national body of journalists dedicated to specialized health reporting across all media platforms in the country.
About NPHA:
Established in 2023, the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) is Sierra Leone’s lead institution for public health protection, preparedness, and response. It operates through a science-driven and coordinated public health system to detect, prevent, and respond to national and international health threats.