Healthcare Scenario in FreeTown-Sierra Leone

FREETOWN

Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone, faces significant healthcare challenges, including a high disease burden and limited medical infrastructure.

Disease Burden and Key Healthcare Insights

Sierra Leone experiences a dual burden of disease:

• Communicable, Maternal, Neonatal, and Nutritional Diseases (CMNNs): These account for approximately 65% of the country’s disease burden.
• Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Contribute about 29% to the overall disease burden.
• Injuries: Represent around 6% of the disease burden.

The healthcare system is strained by a shortage of medical professionals, with roughly four medical doctors per 100,000 inhabitants. Out-of-pocket payments constitute 62% of healthcare spending, indicating limited access to affordable care.

Recent Healthcare Developments

• Ebola Vaccination Rollout: In December 2024, Sierra Leone commenced a nationwide rollout of the single-dose Ebola vaccine, targeting 20,000 frontline workers. This initiative aims to prevent a recurrence of the devastating 2014 outbreak.
• Mpox Cases and State of Emergency: In January 2025, the country declared a state of emergency after confirming two mpox cases within four days. Both patients are receiving treatment in Freetown.
• Support for Amputees: Amputees in Sierra Leone, many of whom suffered during the civil war, face discrimination and societal rejection. Initiatives like “Farming on Crutches” have been established to empower amputees by teaching them farming skills, aiming to restore their confidence and independence.

Healthcare Facilities in Freetown