By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Sierra Leone – March 11, 2026: The Ministry of Health has concluded a three-day Hospital Governance and Leadership Training at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, aimed at improving hospital management and service delivery across Sierra Leone.
The training, held from March 9–11, 2026, brought together hospital secretaries, medical superintendents, and matrons under the theme “Transforming Hospital Services Delivery Through Leadership.” Organized in collaboration with the University of Global Health Equity, the course focused on strategic leadership for healthcare systems nationwide.
Participants include Hospital administrators and managers from across Sierra Leone.
Training Focus on Identity and purpose (Day 1), influencing change and leadership skills (Day 2), and collective momentum under the theme “We Can Do This Together” (Day 3).
The initiative follows the Ministry’s launch of the 300 Days of Activism campaign on March 2, 2026, aimed at ending preventable maternal and child deaths and eliminating zero-dose children.
Minister’s Remarks
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby highlighted Sierra Leone’s progress in expanding healthcare access, noting that “about 85 percent of the population has access to a healthcare facility within a five-kilometer radius.”
He stressed, however, that quality of care must now be the central focus:
- Hospitals must be clean, safe, and equipped with reliable water, electricity, and sanitation.
- Strengthening secondary healthcare facilities is critical, as hospitals serve as referral centers requiring specialists, advanced equipment, and skilled professionals.
- Leadership and governance are essential to ensure efficient use of resources and improved patient outcomes.
Expert Contribution
Professor Roy of the University of Global Health Equity, who facilitated the training, commended the Ministry for prioritizing hospital leadership. He emphasized that effective management and collaboration are vital in addressing challenges faced by healthcare facilities, especially when resources are limited.
The Ministry hopes the training will equip hospital leaders with the skills needed to manage facilities effectively, improve patient care, and ensure that hospitals deliver safe, reliable, and high-quality services nationwide.