A disturbing photo that has gone viral on social media shows a man lying helplessly on a hospital bed, his skin covered in painful pustules and lesions—a striking visual confirmation of the fast-spreading Mpox outbreak in Sierra Leone. The disease, formerly known as monkeypox, has now become a major public health concern in the country.
“This is no longer just an isolated health incident. Mpox is now a national emergency,” said Brewa, a communications officer at the Office of the President. “We’re receiving daily reports of new infections, and the situation is overwhelming our already fragile health system.”
Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease that causes symptoms similar to smallpox, including fever, intense skin rashes, and painful blisters. Although less deadly, its highly contagious nature poses a significant risk in low-capacity healthcare environments like Sierra Leone.
A Crisis Growing by the Day
Health authorities confirm that dozens of new suspected Mpox cases are being reported each day in both rural and urban areas, with hotspot clusters emerging in densely populated parts of Freetown, Kenema, and Bo. The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has called for calm, but behind closed doors, officials are scrambling to keep up with the demands for isolation, treatment, and contact tracing.
Medical experts warn that the country’s weak health infrastructure, worsened by years of underfunding, corruption, and the lasting scars of the Ebola epidemic, is grossly unprepared to handle this growing crisis.
At Connaught Hospital, sources confirm that there are no dedicated Mpox treatment wards, and patients are being turned away due to lack of space, staff, and essential medical supplies. “We’re running out of gloves, antiseptics, and even basic painkillers,” said a nurse who requested anonymity. “We’re scared—not just for the patients, but for ourselves too.”
Systemic Vulnerabilities Exposed
One of the most damning aspects of the outbreak is its exposure of Sierra Leone’s long-standing health sector vulnerabilities. The country faces a critical shortage of trained healthcare workers, with many clinics staffed by just one or two underqualified personnel. Health workers also lack proper training on how to identify and handle infectious diseases like Mpox, raising fears of rapid transmission in both healthcare and community settings.
“The last major investment in public health training was during the Ebola outbreak,” said a representative from the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association. “Since then, very little has been done to build sustainable capacity. We are now paying the price.”
No Drugs, No Diagnostics
To make matters worse, there is no reliable access to antiviral medication or modern diagnostic tools. Mpox patients often rely on symptomatic relief alone—paracetamol, fluids, and topical creams—none of which are sufficient for advanced cases. Laboratories are overwhelmed, with test results delayed by days, limiting the ability to contain the spread.
A Call for Urgent Action
As panic spreads and the number of cases grows, citizens are demanding answers and action from the government. Civil society groups are urging the Ministry of Health to declare a national emergency and to seek immediate international assistance.
Brewa, the presidential communications officer, echoed those calls. “We need all hands on deck. This is not just a health issue—it’s a threat to our national stability. The government is working with international partners, but time is not on our side.”
The coming weeks will be critical. Without immediate intervention—both from the state and the international community—Sierra Leone could face another devastating public health crisis. And as the image of the afflicted man continues to circulate, it stands as a painful symbol of a nation struggling to protect its own.
Editor’s Note: Mpox spreads through close contact with infected individuals or animals. Symptoms include fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and painful skin lesions. Anyone experiencing symptoms is urged to seek medical help and avoid contact with others.
