The Sierra Leone Health Service Commission has decentralized its operations to regional headquarters, including Port Loko District, as part of the government’s commitment to improving healthcare access and strengthening the health workforce. This decision aims to enhance efficiency in service delivery, address critical staffing shortages, and bring administrative functions closer to the communities served.
Port Loko District has been chosen as a key regional office due to its geographical importance and growing population. At the launch of the regional office, Dr. Idriss Mahoodu Kamara, District Medical Officer for Port Loko District emphasized the significance of this milestone. He described the decentralization as a “golden opportunity” for streamlining recruitment and appointment processes for healthcare workers, particularly in underserved chiefdoms.
Dr. Kamara urged health administrators to utilize the commission responsibly to address staffing gaps while maintaining fairness and transparency.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Anthony Sandi, Commissioner of the Sierra Leone Health Service Commission, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to decentralization to reduce the administrative burdens previously centralized in Freetown. He noted that decentralizing operations would allow nurses, midwives, and other health professionals to have their employment issues resolved more quickly and locally.
“The government’s decision to decentralize the Health Service Commission reflects its dedication to improving healthcare access and addressing the challenges faced by our health workers. This step will ease the burden on nurses and midwives, ensuring they can focus on their primary duty of providing quality care to our citizens,” Dr. Sandi explained.
Sister Fullah, a senior midwifery practitioner, stressed the critical role of nurses in the healthcare system. She highlighted the need to empower nurses and midwives through fair and timely recruitment and appointment processes, which the decentralized Health Service Commission is designed to facilitate.
“The commission is a tool to improve the welfare of nurses and midwives. We must use it effectively to ensure these frontline workers are motivated and well-equipped to serve their communities,” Sister Fullah stated.
As part of strengthening the healthcare in 114 health centres in Port Loko District, with the decentralization of the Health Service Commission to regional hubs like Port Loko, local health authorities will now have greater autonomy to address district-specific challenges, including recruitment, resource allocation, and staff welfare. The move is also expected to enhance collaboration between district health offices, traditional leaders, and community stakeholders to implement targeted public health interventions.
As the decentralized structure takes shape, healthcare workers and communities alike are optimistic about the transformative impact it will have on service delivery and the overall health system in Sierra Leone.