NMSA Cracks Down on Drug Misuse While Expanding Free Healthcare Access

By sulaiman.sesay@awokonewspaper.sl

Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – In a bold move to protect Sierra Leone’s healthcare system, the Director General of the National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA), Jatu Abdulai, has issued a stern warning against the illegal sale of free medical supplies while announcing major distribution milestones.

Speaking at a press briefing in Freetown, Madam Abdulai revealed that the NMSA has successfully distributed essential medicines to 24 government hospitals for the first quarter of 2025 under the Free Healthcare Initiative (FHI). The program, which aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), provides vital medications to:
– Pregnant women
– Lactating mothers
– Children under five
– Ebola & COVID-19 survivors

“These drugs are meant to save lives, not to be sold for profit,” Abdulai declared. “Any healthcare worker caught diverting these medicines will face legal consequences.”

With $2.5 million in funding from the Sierra Leonean government and partners, the NMSA has stocked hospitals with critical supplies. However, the recent cut in USAID support has raised concerns about long-term sustainability.

“We need sustainable solutions to keep this program running,” Abdulai stressed. “Donor support is helpful, but we must build our own resilience.”

To prevent misuse, the NMSA has implemented a multi-layered tracking system:
1️ Community Sensitization – Beneficiaries are educated on their right to free medicines.
2️ Stakeholder Engagement – Local health committees and civil society groups receive detailed drug shipment records for oversight.
3️ Inventory Audits – NMSA teams conduct surprise inspections to ensure drugs reach patients.

Established to end drug shortages and corruption in medical procurement, the NMSA now serves as Sierra Leone’s central hub for:
– Transparent drug purchasing
– Efficient nationwide distribution
– Cost-effective medical supply management SKS/3/4/2025