By Kadijatu Bangura, Daily Scope Reporter
The Sierra Leone Social Health Insurance Scheme (SLeSHI) has officially initiated a nationwide accreditation program aimed at ensuring that healthcare facilities adhere to essential national standards for quality, safety, equity, and efficiency in care. This initiative marks a significant step towards achieving universal health coverage in the country.
The accreditation process commenced in the Southern Region over the weekend, with a 31-member assessment team deployed across Bo, Bonthe, Moyamba, and Pujehun districts. The team comprises eleven assessors in Bo, six in Bonthe, seven in Moyamba, and seven in Pujehun, with plans to extend similar teams to other regions in the future.
During an orientation meeting in Bo, SLeSHI Team Lead Dr. Michael Amara outlined the accreditation framework, which employs standardized checklists to evaluate healthcare facilities. These checklists address critical areas such as patient safety, quality of care, infrastructure, equipment, human resource capacity, availability of essential drugs, record keeping, data management, and infection prevention.
Dr. Amara emphasized the importance of direct engagement with health workers, patients, and administrators to collect comprehensive information. “Assessors will provide immediate feedback, highlighting strengths and pinpointing areas that require urgent improvement,” he stated.
To maintain objectivity and consistency throughout the process, accreditation supervisors will oversee the assessments, guiding the assessors and collaborating with facility management to address critical issues. Dr. Amara also noted that the accreditation exercise is designed not merely for inspection but also for mentorship and capacity building. “We want facilities to view accreditation as an opportunity for growth rather than a burden,” he explained.
The launch of this exercise in the Southern Region underscores SLeSHI’s commitment to enhancing healthcare quality through a system that incorporates digital tools, structured supervision, and effective leadership oversight.
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