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The National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA) has vowed to strengthen its internal controls as a volunteer faces prosecution for the alleged misappropriation of a $38,000 ultrasound machine meant for public health facilities.
Francis Lavai, a volunteer attached to the NMSA warehouse, has been indicted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on one count of Misappropriation of Public Property, contrary to Section 36(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008, as amended in 2019.
The ACC alleges that between December 2025 and January 2026, Lavai misappropriated a portable black-and-white convex ultrasound machine from the Bo District Medical Stores. The equipment was part of a donated consignment under the Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme intended for distribution to public health units in Bo District.
In a press statement issued on August 19, 2026, NMSA reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and integrity”. The Agency stated it will continue to respect due process and allow the courts to determine the outcome of the case against Lavai.
“The Agency reiterates its full cooperation with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and will continue to provide all necessary information, documentation, and assistance required to support the investigation,” the NMSA stated.
The Agency has committed to strengthening its monitoring systems and oversight processes to prevent the future loss or diversion of medical equipment. NMSA Managing Director Madam Jatu Josephine Abdulai had previously announced a zero-tolerance stance on corruption and theft, warning that any staff found culpable would face the full force of the law.
The NMSA is the public service agency responsible for the procurement, warehousing, and distribution of drugs and medical supplies for public institutions across Sierra Leone.
