By Andrew Chokpeleh
Freetown, 10th March 2026- Statistics Sierra Leone, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, has launched a crucial workshop to refine the questionnaire for the upcoming Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). The exercise is expected to provide the country with vital data to track progress in the health sector and highlight areas that demand urgent attention.
Acting Statistician General Lansana K. Kanneh described the workshop as a demonstration of Sierra Leone’s commitment to producing reliable, standardised health and demographic data. He noted that while several surveys have been conducted in the past, the DHS stands out for its ability to measure maternal and child mortality and offer deeper insights into household living conditions nationwide.
“We want a questionnaire that reflects Sierra Leone’s realities and ensures the data we collect is both reliable and practical,” Kanneh urged participants. “This survey will guide national policy and programme implementation.”
The DHS, a globally recognised tool for measuring health indicators, almost stalled after the United States Government withdrew its support. Dr. Tom Sesay of the Ministry of Health recalled that stakeholders feared the survey might not happen. However, with intervention from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), support was secured from the Inner City Fund (ICF), which will provide technical and financial assistance.
“ICF’s involvement ensures our data meets international standards and can be used globally,” Dr. Sesay explained. He added that the survey will focus on maternal and child health, immunisation, and contraceptive use, while also helping Sierra Leone evaluate progress on its National Medium-Term Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Sara Scates, Lead Survey Management Specialist at ICF, acknowledged the challenges the DHS programme faced after USAID’s stop-work order, which led to the loss of nearly 80 percent of staff. She praised Sierra Leone and other partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, for mobilising resources to keep the programme alive.
“This workshop marks the beginning of a long process,” Dr. Scates said. “Over the next year and a half, we will refine the survey instruments to ensure they reflect local realities while aligning with national priorities.”
The DHS is expected to provide Sierra Leone with a clearer picture of its health landscape, offering policymakers and development partners the evidence needed to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve lives across the country.
