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A concerned Sierra Leonean based in the diaspora has formally petitioned the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to implement urgent reforms regarding clinical governance, patient safety, and professional accountability across the country’s healthcare sector.
In an open letter addressed to the Minister of Health, Aiah Bondowa Tondoneh raised serious alarms regarding current medical practices in both public and private institutions, citing a lack of oversight that he argues is putting patients at risk.
Tondoneh’s correspondence highlighted specific operational failures, particularly the “routine administration of intravenous drips without clear clinical indication” or informed consent. He argued that such practices suggest a significant absence of governance protocols regulating invasive medical interventions.
Beyond specific treatments, the letter criticized the broader culture of accountability within the sector. Tondoneh noted that there appears to be no consistent “duty of candour” following patient deaths.
“Many facilities do not conduct mortality reviews, root‑cause analyses, or multidisciplinary reflections after critical incidents,” Tondoneh wrote. “As a result, opportunities to prevent avoidable harm are frequently missed.”
The letter also drew attention to the unregulated nature of private healthcare. Tondoneh alleged that many private clinics operate without routine inspections and that there is a lack of public information regarding the qualifications of staff, including foreign medical personnel. He further noted that the scarcity of diagnostic services in government hospitals forces patients to seek care in these private facilities, often resulting in financial strain and inconsistent care standards.
To address these systemic gaps, Tondoneh proposed a five-point action plan for the Ministry:
Unannounced Inspections: The introduction of regular, surprise checks on both public and private facilities.
Mandatory Reporting: Requiring hospital managers to submit quarterly reports on clinical standards and patient safety indicators.
Audit Systems: Establishing structures for mortality audits and incident reporting.
Transparency: Publishing performance and compliance data to help the public make informed choices.
Verification: Strict vetting of qualifications for all medical practitioners.
Tondoneh concluded by emphasizing that current gaps in oversight have left citizens vulnerable, with some turning to unqualified practitioners with “tragic consequences.” He urged the Ministry to view these recommendations as a way to reinforce the progress already being made in the sector.
