Frontline health workers trained in Sierra Leone for triple elimination program

SIERRA LEONE—Sierra Leone has bolstered its healthcare workforce by training frontline health workers in Makeni and Bo to combat the transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B from mothers to children,

This initiative, held from March 10 to 14, 2025, aimed to enhance the delivery of integrated services within maternal and child health platforms.

 The training was part of a broader strategy known as the Triple Elimination program, which aligns with global health goals.

A total of 80 healthcare professionals participated in the training, including Maternal and Child Health Aides, Senior Enrolled Community Health Nurses, Midwives, Community Health Officers, and HIV Counselors.

The training was funded by the Global Fund, an international organization that supports health initiatives worldwide.

The Global Fund’s financial support underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing health challenges in developing countries.

The training addressed several critical gaps identified in a recent analysis conducted in June 2024.

Notably, only 77% of newly diagnosed HIV-positive women received antiretroviral therapy (ART) during their first antenatal care visit, while only 36% of HIV-positive women gave birth in health facilities. Moreover, up to 30% of infants tested positive for HIV at 18 months.

 Additional challenges included stock-outs of HIV and syphilis testing kits, data integrity issues, and weak laboratory systems, all of which hindered the effectiveness of the Triple Elimination program.

Through this training, participants gained practical skills to provide comprehensive services for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B.

This included screening and treating pregnant women, timely testing and treatment for exposed infants, and hepatitis B vaccination.

 The training also emphasized effective linkage to care, ensuring that patients receive continuous support throughout their treatment journey.

The World Health Organization (WHO) played a crucial role in providing technical support, ensuring that the training aligned with global best practices.

 WHO’s contributions included reviewing training materials, facilitating sessions, and offering expert guidance on effective strategies for clinical case management and service integration.

This collaboration reinforced Sierra Leone’s commitment to achieving global targets for eliminating mother-to-child transmission and improving maternal and child health.

The immediate outcomes of the training were promising.

Frontline healthcare workers gained enhanced capacity to deliver integrated services, and there was stronger coordination between maternal and child health programs and disease-specific initiatives.

Healthcare facilities also became better prepared to offer timely testing, treatment, and prevention interventions.

Reflecting on the impact of the training, Sr. Roberta Macauley, a District Health Sister in Falaba District, noted that the training had significantly enhanced her knowledge and skills.

Although she does not work directly with patients, she now has a stronger foundation in counseling and understanding the necessary steps before treatment.

 This newfound expertise will be invaluable during her supervisory visits.

Annie Morlai, a Senior Enrolled Community Health Nurse at Kombayandeh Community Health Centre in Kono District, emphasized the importance of sustained support for healthcare workers.

 She highlighted that consistent availability of essential medicines and test kits, along with regular monitoring from national and district teams, is crucial for maintaining progress toward an HIV-negative population and a healthier nation.

To sustain the gains from this training, ongoing mentorship and supportive supervision for trained healthcare workers will be essential.

 Strengthening supply chain management to ensure the continuous availability of HIV test kits, ART, and other essential commodities remains a priority.

Additionally, robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will be critical for tracking progress, identifying gaps, and informing future policy and programmatic decisions.

 Investing in healthcare workforce development remains a key priority for WHO, the Ministry of Health, and partners.

Strengthening human resource capacity will be crucial to sustaining progress toward eliminating mother-to-child transmission and improving long-term health outcomes for women and children in Sierra Leone.

 This collaborative effort underscores the importance of targeted training and support in addressing health challenges and achieving global health goals.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and beyond. Also, follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.