Health Ministry, Mercy Ships Target Gaps in Sierra Leone’s Surgical Services
Sahid Bangura The Ministry of Health and Mercy Ships Sierra Leone are working to improve surgical services in Sierra Leone through stronger clinical training, more effective patient referral systems and better access to treatment under the country’s National Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthesia Plan (NSOAP) 2026–2030.
The discussions took place during a three-day strategy development workshop organised by the Ministry’s Directorate of Hospital and Ambulance Services at New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown. The workshop brought together representatives from hospitals, training institutions, primary healthcare services, emergency medical services and community health programmes.
Participants highlighted the need to strengthen nursing education through supervised clinical placements, mentorship and practical training, particularly in perioperative care. They also identified opportunities to improve patient identification, referral procedures and coordination between healthcare facilities and Mercy Ships.
The workshop further examined barriers that prevent patients from accessing surgical treatment, including transportation costs, stigma, fear, limited diagnostic services and uncertainty about accommodation and return journeys.
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To address these challenges, participants recommended working with community, traditional and religious leaders to raise awareness of available surgical services. They also called for improved patient follow-up and clearer discharge information to help patients understand and manage their care after treatment.
Other recommendations included reviewing clinical training arrangements, strengthening referral systems and identifying specific stages in the patient journey where improvements could be made.
Further planning is expected to establish responsibilities, resource requirements and monitoring measures to guide implementation of the recommendations.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts by the Ministry of Health, Mercy Ships and other healthcare stakeholders to strengthen surgical services and improve access to quality care across Sierra Leone under the NSOAP 2026–2030.