Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Sierra Leone Social Health Insurance Scheme (SLeSHI) has commenced a nationwide accreditation exercise aimed at ensuring healthcare facilities meet minimum national standards for quality, safety, equity, and efficiency of care.
The initiative is notably part of the government efforts to move the country closer to achieving universal health coverage.
The accreditation process officially kicked off in the Southern Region over the weekend, with a 31-member team deployed across Bo, Bonthe, Moyamba, and Pujehun districts.
Eleven assessors were assigned to Bo, six to Bonthe, seven to Moyamba, and seven to Pujehun. Similar teams will later be sent to other regions of the country.
Speaking during an orientation meeting in Bo on Sunday, SLeSHI Team Lead, Dr. Michael Amara, said assessors would evaluate facilities using standardized checklists.
He explained that the checklists cover key areas including patient safety and quality of care, infrastructure and equipment, human resource capacity, availability of essential drugs and supplies, record keeping, data management, and infection prevention and control practices.
“The assessors are to engage directly with health workers, patients, and administrators to gather information. They should provide on-the-spot feedback, highlighting strengths and identifying areas that require urgent improvement,” Dr. Amara stated.
He further emphasized that accreditation supervisors will oversee the process to ensure objectivity and consistency. The supervisors, he said, would serve as support pillars by guiding assessors, clarifying technical standards, and working with facility management to resolve critical concerns.
Dr. Amara stressed that the exercise was not limited to inspection, but also focused on mentorship and capacity building. “The process is not just about inspection, but it is also about capacity building and mentorship. Facilities will be encouraged to see accreditation as an opportunity for growth rather than a burden,” he noted.
The launch of the exercise in the Southern Region, according to officials, reflects SLeSHI’s commitment to improving healthcare quality through a system that blends digital tools, structured supervision, and leadership oversight.
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