By Foday Moriba Conteh

Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Health I, Dr. Charles Senessie, officially launched the Kailahun District Spotlight Initiative on Saturday, part of the Ministry of Health’s Nationwide Health Train Campaign 2025, a national effort to strengthen health systems and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Charles Senessie described the initiative as a pivotal moment for the Ministry and the local communities. He expressed pride in returning to Kailahun, where he previously led a humanitarian medical mission, noting that the earlier intervention included successful surgeries and the establishment of a dental clinic, laying a foundation for long-term health improvements.

“This is a continuation of our nationwide efforts; supporting facilities, improving services and providing the necessary expertise to strengthen healthcare delivery,” Dr. Charles Senessie said. He commended Ministry staff, program managers, clinicians and technical teams for their dedication, emphasizing the Ministry’s “no-nonsense” approach to accountability and service delivery.

Dr. Charles Senessie highlighted that prior assessments were conducted and communicated to districts to ensure gaps were identified and addressed. “A few months ago, we visited certain facilities and were not pleased with the performance. Warnings were issued and now we expect significant improvements,” he said. The District Spotlight aims to evaluate all key health indicators across hospitals and peripheral health units to ensure compliance with national standards.

The Deputy Minister also underscored recent Government investments in healthcare infrastructure, citing newly constructed facilities at Koidu and Kailahun as examples of improving access to quality care. On human resources, he noted that the Government has recruited the largest number of health workers in Sierra Leone’s history, with more than 4,000 additional personnel expected to graduate next year to strengthen service delivery.

“As we expand access and improve infrastructure, we expect health workers to demonstrate the highest levels of professionalism,” Dr. Charles Senessie said. He further highlighted the deployment of two new medical outreach buses to deliver free services and increase public health awareness, particularly for young people and vulnerable groups. The Deputy Minister also emphasized the Government’s efforts to address drug abuse and other social challenges through collaboration with law enforcement and community leaders.

Delivering a message on behalf of President Julius Maada Bio, Dr. Charles Senessie reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to improving the health sector, expanding medical infrastructure and enhancing citizens’ welfare across all districts. He officially declared the District Spotlight Initiative launched, calling on stakeholders to collaborate in advancing Universal Health Coverage nationwide.

Dr. Sartie Kenneh, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, stressed the Spotlight Initiative’s role in strengthening primary health care and achieving UHC. He explained that the initiative assesses and improves the quality, accessibility and efficiency of health services at the district level. “Universal Health Coverage means providing quality health care to all people in Sierra Leone without financial hardship,” he said.

The CMO outlined the main focus areas during district assessments: infrastructure, human resources, commodities and data management. Infrastructure evaluations include electricity, solar power, water supply, oxygen availability and overall facility suitability. Human resources are monitored for presence, punctuality, workload and performance.

Dr. Sartie Kenneh also highlighted the evaluation of commodities, such as drugs, laboratory equipment and medical technologies, while emphasizing the transition toward digitalized health data. “What is not documented is considered not done, so robust record-keeping is essential for measuring impact and efficiency,” he noted.

He pointed out Kailahun District’s strong performance in national programs like immunization, which has consistently ranked among the top districts over the past five years. Dr. Sartie Kenneh also noted the Ministry’s efforts to reduce maternal mortality through improved ambulance utilization and proactive primary care planning, preventing emergency situations before they escalate.

The initiative, according to the CMO, helps the Ministry identify challenges that may not be visible from afar, such as communication gaps, underutilization of facilities or operational inefficiencies. “Through frank discussions and open engagement during these visits, we can leverage national expertise to ensure improvements in the health system,” he said. Dr. Sartie Kenneh concluded that the Spotlight Initiative serves as a strategic tool for diagnosing, monitoring and improving health services, ensuring resources are effectively deployed and communities receive quality care aligned with UHC goals.

Chairman of Kailahun District Council, Sahr A.K. Lamin, praised the initiative, describing it as a crucial step toward enhancing the district’s health systems and advancing UHC. He highlighted that the Spotlight Initiative provides a diagnostic exercise to evaluate the state of health service delivery, identify gaps and implement practical solutions.

“The visit is very important to the lives of my people because it allows us to assess the advantages, challenges and capacity of our health facilities, including the adequacy of human resources,” Sahr A.K. Lamin said. “Health service delivery is central to human development and such initiatives are vital for improving outcomes in our communities.”

He thanked the Ministry of Health team, from senior officials to technical staff, for their commitment to working on the ground in Kailahun. Sahr A.K. Lamin also highlighted the role of local councils in supporting health service delivery, particularly in districts with limited funding.

The District Council Chairman noted that since the beginning of 2025, Kailahun has not received financial allocations from the central Government to support the health sector. “Without the support of NGOs and local revenue initiatives, many of our programs could not operate effectively. We are now sensitizing communities to contribute through property rates and local licenses to sustain essential services,” he explained.

Sahr A.K. Lamin emphasized the importance of coordination and accountability between local councils and health officials. He noted that monthly reports and feedback from health staff enable the council to address issues such as accommodation for health workers and volunteer engagement.

“The impressive aspect of this visit is the engagement between officials and local authorities. If we are committed to our responsibilities, we can achieve significant improvements in health service delivery,” Sahr A.K. Lamin said. He expressed optimism that the two-week Spotlight Initiative would yield actionable results, guiding collaboration with the Ministry of Health to enhance services across Kailahun District.

The District Spotlight Initiative forms part of the Ministry of Health’s broader strategy to strengthen health systems nationwide, ensuring equitable access to quality services and accelerating progress toward Universal Health Coverage in Sierra Leone. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/moh-launches-kailahun-district-spotlight-initiative-to-strengthen-health-service-delivery/