Kono Receives First and Second Quarter Free Healthcare Medicines from NMSA
NMSA Public Relations
Kono District has become the latest district to receive its allocation of Free Healthcare medicines and medical supplies under the National Medical Supplies Agency’s (NMSA) nationwide first and second quarter distribution exercise.
The district received five truckloads of essential medicines and medical supplies. Of these, three truckloads were allocated to the District Medical Store for onward distribution to Peripheral Health Units (PHUs), while the remaining two truckloads were designated for Koidu Government Hospital.
Handing over the consignment, NMSA’s Director of Human Resources, Robert Dixon, said the exercise forms part of the Agency’s core mandate of ensuring the timely distribution of essential health commodities across Sierra Leone. He emphasized that the medicines are intended for beneficiaries of the Free Healthcare Initiative, including pregnant women, lactating mothers, children under five years of age, persons living with disabilities, and Ebola and COVID-19 survivors. He therefore urged all stakeholders to ensure the medicines are used judiciously and reach their intended beneficiaries.
Representing the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Hon. Tamba Simeon Johnny commended the Government of Sierra Leone and its development partners for their continued investment in procuring essential medicines for the country’s healthcare system. He warned that the law would deal firmly with anyone found diverting or misusing the medicines.
Speaking on behalf of civil society, France Fayiah Lebbie of the Health for All Coalition Sierra Leone stressed that the effective use of the medicines depends on the collective efforts of all stakeholders, particularly in monitoring their distribution. She advised against unnecessary delays in moving the medicines from the District Medical Store to health facilities and reaffirmed the Coalition’s commitment to monitoring the distribution process. She also appealed to the authorities to provide the distribution matrix to enable effective tracking and oversight.
Receiving the consignment on behalf of Koidu Government Hospital, Senior Matron Mildred G. M. Bayoh expressed appreciation to the NMSA for the timely delivery of the medicines, noting that they arrived when they were most needed. She assured the Agency that the hospital would ensure the medicines are properly managed and reach the intended beneficiaries.
