Ministry of Health Launches Monthly Nationwide Hospital Cleaning Initiative

Ministry of Health Launches Monthly Nationwide Hospital Cleaning Initiative

Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby has inaugurated a nationwide hospital cleaning exercise to enhance sanitation, patient safety, and hygiene standards across public health facilities. The initiative, launched Saturday, will recur on the last Saturday of every month as a cornerstone of national healthcare reform.

The program aims to restore public confidence in the healthcare system by providing safer and more dignified environments for patients and staff. While public facilities are the primary access point for medical care in Sierra Leone, long-standing challenges with overcrowding and infrastructure have historically impacted service delivery.

The inaugural exercise took place at Koidu Government Hospital in Kono District. Led by Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Services Dr. Mustapha Kabba, senior officials joined frontline workers to emphasize that infection prevention is a shared institutional responsibility.

Ministry officials stated that the drive is intended to embed dignity and safety into the culture of healthcare delivery. 

Facility managers are now tasked with maintaining these hygiene standards consistently between the scheduled monthly sessions to ensure sustainable improvements.

This initiative aligns with global health trends prioritizing environmental hygiene in quality care. Despite resource constraints, the Ministry maintains that the cleaning drive is a visible, practical step toward rebuilding citizen trust and guaranteeing safe, clean treatment spaces nationwide.