PHOTO STORY on how the leadership of Sierra Leone demonstrated high level commitment and ownership at the launch of the National Action Plan for Health Security

On 12 September, Sierra Leone launched its National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS), making it the seventh country in the WHO African region to develop and officially launch the Plan. The comprehensive five-year multi-sectoral plan aims to holistically facilitate the achievement of health security in the country in line with requirements of the International Health Regulations 2005.

Sierra Leone’s high-profile launch of the NAPHS was unique because it marked the first time in the WHO African Region for such an event to be presided over by a President, demonstrating the highest political commitment and ownership by the government. The NAPHS was launched alongside the Road Map for Universal Health Coverage for Sierra Leone.