AYV News, June 5, 2025
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Rashid Sesay has handed over 20,000 doses of Mpox vaccines to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation at a brief ceremony held at the Freetown International Airport in Lungi, Port Loko district, Northwest, Sierra Leone.
The vaccines were donated by the Government of the United Arab Emirates to bolster Sierra Leone’s response to the Mpox virus outbreak. The assistance from the UAE signifies the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries and,more importantly, the strength of brotherly relations between President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Handing over the items, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the UAE, Rashid Sesay, described the donation as a testament tothe strong bonds of friendship between President Bio and his UAE counterpart. He said that with the rising number of Mpox cases, the donation was coming at a crucial time to strengthen the country’s response. He also thanked the UAE government and people for the support.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone, Acting Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Charles Senessie, thanked the UAE for the timely donation, adding that the gesture was a demonstration of the UAE’s confidence in President Bio and his government. He also reiterated President Bio’s passion for and commitment to the healthcare of every Sierra Leonean, while assuring that their ministry would continue to deliver on the President’s vision.
World Health Organisation Country Representative for Sierra Leone, Dr. George Ameh, said that Sierra Leone’s response to the outbreak had been classical in line with the recommended scientific norms and best practices that obtained in other places. He described vaccines as a critical component, noting that the UAE support was coming at a critical moment to boost the response.
