The Sierra Leone National Central Public Health Reference Laboratory (CPHRL) was commissioned on 21 August 2012 by the Hon Minister of Health and Sanitation, Mrs Zainab Hawa Bangura.

Today's generation of youth -- the largest the world has ever known, and the vast majority of whom live in developing countries -- has unprecedented potential to advance the well-being of the entire human family.

Sierra Leone has an estimated population of 5.8 million with a national HIV prevalence of 1.5%. The HIV prevalence among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics is 3.2%. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is the most important source of HIV infections in children.