Health Ministry Rolls Out National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anaesthesia Plan

Sierra Leone has officially launched its National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anaesthesia Plan (NSOAP), a roadmap designed to improve surgical care and expand access to life-saving services.

The plan was unveiled last week in Freetown by the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, and outlines practical measures to make surgery safer, more accessible, and more affordable nationwide.

Shortly after the national launch, Sierra Leone presented the plan at the 3rd Pan African Surgical Healthcare Forum (PASHeF) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Representing the Minister at the forum was Dr. Mustapha Kabba, Deputy Chief Medical Officer in charge of clinical services.

Dr. Kabba conveyed the Minister’s message that the NSOAP goes beyond statistics it is about improving the lives of ordinary Sierra Leoneans through better access to essential surgical care.

With the implementation of NSOAP, Sierra Leone joins other African nations taking structured steps to strengthen surgical, obstetric, and anaesthesia services, aiming to achieve better health outcomes for all.