Aruna Turay, AYV News, June 16, 2025
Popular Sierra Leonean female socio-political activist, Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden, has called on people in Sierra Leone to be faithful to their partners, stick to one sexual partner and continue following guidelines, as MPox is real. She said it is transmitted by contact, especially with sex and causes permanent damage to one’s sexual organs (private parts) in painful ways.
Dr. Blyden said, “This message is for everyone, but especially for Husbands, Wives, Boyfriends, and Girlfriends. Sex Partners, please continue to follow guidelines as MPox is real. It transmits by contact, especially with sex; permanentdamage to your sexual organs (private parts) may occur in painful ways. I took an MPox vaccine today. I don’t envisage any contact to give me MPox but since I am a qualified Medical Doctor, I may volunteer at the frontline in case of any national emergency For now, the amount of available vaccine is LIMITED and so it is only for health care workers and people who are at risk of getting the virus under several categories. So the BEST advice I can give is the one which I am giving: Stick to one sexual partner until this epidemic passes. If you continue to be sexually unfaithful, you are highly likely to catch MPox and take it home to your spouse or infect your regular boyfriend or girlfriend, and it’s very, very serious when it infects sexual organs.”
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health (MoH), National Public Health Agency (NPHA), and Freetown City Council, in partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Sierra Leone, have inaugurated a 50-bed Mpox treatment centre in Calaba Town, east of Freetown.
The facility strengthens public health infrastructure by providing specialised care, case management, infection prevention, and enhanced surveillance. It also plays a crucial role in contact tracing, community education, and risk communication to reduce stigma and improve early symptom recognition.
Dr. Sia Y. Fasuluku, District Medical Officer (DMO) for Western Urban Area, stressed the urgent need for early detection, improved diagnostics, and sustained public health interventions to curb transmission and prevent severe cases.
Mpox (formerly Monkeypox) is a viral zoonotic disease that poses serious risks, especially for immunocompromised individuals. Without proper medical care, outbreaks can strain health systems. Sierra Leone’s proactive response builds on lessons from previous epidemics like Ebola, ensuring technical expertise and logistical support through MSF.
Authorities continue to emphasise the need for strengthening diagnostic capacity for early detection, expanding vaccination efforts if vaccines become available, and maintaining community engagement to foster trust and cooperation.
The public is urged to report symptoms such as fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes immediately by calling the emergency helpline 117, avoid contact with infected individuals or animals, and follow hygiene protocols, including frequent handwashing.
Health officials have also assured the public that vaccines, when available, will be administered free of charge, and treatment at all Mpox treatment facilities remains completely free.
