Put Health Minister Dr Austin Demby’s pic here
By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Health, has officially launched the Sierra Leone National Health Information Hub, a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening evidence-based decision-making, transparency, and accountability within the country’s health sector.
The launch ceremony took place on 19 January 2026 at 41B Riverside Drive, Brookfields Annex, Freetown, and brought together senior government officials, development partners, and health stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Clinical Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mustapha Kabba, described the initiative as a historic milestone for both the Ministry and the nation. He said the National Health Information Hub will serve as a central system for providing accurate and timely data to support faster and more effective decision-making across the health sector.
Dr. Kabba explained that for many years, the Ministry struggled with challenges related to data quality, timeliness, and utilization. In many instances, critical health decisions were made using information that was up to five years old, often gathered through surveys that were sometimes unreliable.
According to him, the new Hub will address these challenges by enabling real-time monitoring of health data nationwide. The system will support automated reporting, advanced data analysis, and, in the future, the application of artificial intelligence to improve planning, forecasting, and emergency response.
He further disclosed that the Health Information Hub will be decentralized, with data collection centers established across all regions of the country. The Freetown center will serve as the main Hub, coordinating information from health facilities throughout Sierra Leone.
The Hub will collect a wide range of data, including routine health statistics, service delivery records, public health emergency information, and other key health indicators from medical institutions nationwide. Dr. Kabba noted that the system will significantly enhance the Ministry’s capacity to respond swiftly to outbreaks and other health emergencies.
In her statement, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Seraphine Wakana, described the launch as a landmark achievement that reflects strong national leadership and a firm commitment to improving health services for all Sierra Leoneans.
She emphasized that timely, high-quality, and accessible data is essential for effective action in the health sector, noting that delays in health information often weaken the ability of institutions to respond to the real needs of the population.
Ms. Wakana said the National Health Information Hub will help authorities identify who is being reached and who is being left behind, thereby enabling better planning and corrective action. She stressed that in the 21st century, quality health data is not a luxury but a necessity.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, described the Hub as a timely intervention that will significantly improve the Ministry’s operational effectiveness. He said the facility will serve as the principal source of reliable health information for the country.
Dr. Demby noted that regardless of past administrations, data collection and management had remained a persistent challenge. The establishment of the Hub, he said, marks a turning point in addressing these long-standing weaknesses.
The Minister explained that the system will generate critical data on service delivery, disease outbreaks, mortality, maternal and child health, and other essential health indicators. He added that in the past, misinformation and delays in reporting negatively affected service delivery.
With this Hub, we no longer have to wait for annual reports or long surveys before acting, he said. We can now make quick, informed decisions to improve healthcare services across Sierra Leone.
Dr. Demby concluded by acknowledging the support of the Government of Sierra Leone, the United Nations, international non-governmental organizations, and other development and health partners whose contributions made the project possible.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 21st January 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
