Sierra Leone is currently battling a severe outbreak of mpox, a viral disease, with infections soaring and health authorities overwhelmed. Since January, officials have aimed to cut down on hospital crowding by treating patients at home. However, this decision has backfired, leading to a swift transmission of the virus across the nation, reaching all 16 regions, including the capital city, Freetown.
In response, the government established multiple centers to isolate and treat affected individuals, but these facilities are quickly running out of bed space and supply of vaccines. A public health initiative designed to trace and monitor exposed individuals was halted in April due to funding shortages. Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, responsible for the mpox response at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, noted the existing weaknesses in Sierra Leone's healthcare system have been exacerbated by a financial crisis and reduced international support for development initiatives.
Urgent calls for vaccines and resources to manage the outbreak have largely gone unanswered, as health officials work against the clock to contain the virus.
