By: Aminata Sesay
The regulation of nursing and midwifery in Sierra Leone is undergoing a major transformation as the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI), with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), launches a centralised digital database for the Sierra Leone Nursing and Midwifery Council (SLNMC).
This new system will replace outdated manual processes, ensuring a more efficient, transparent, and secure method for tracking nursing and midwifery professionals across the country. The initiative is expected to enhance regulatory oversight, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure that only qualified practitioners are licensed to work in the healthcare sector.
For decades, the SLNMC has faced challenges in maintaining accurate records due to paper-based documentation, leading to inefficiencies, delays, and potential risks in verifying professional credentials. With this digital transformation, the council will now be able to oversee key processes such as:
Indexing & Examination Management: Verifying that only eligible candidates can take the council’s exams.
Digital Registration & Licensing: Automating the certification process to eliminate inefficiencies. Verification System Allowing hospitals and employers worldwide to verify nurse credentials online.
License Renewal and CPD Compliance Ensuring nurses meet Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
Data Security & Disaster Recovery: Protecting records with cloud-based storage.
Accreditation Management: Monitoring the standards of nursing and midwifery training institutions.
Christiana B. Massally, Registrar of the Sierra Leone Nursing and Midwifery Council, described the new system as a “long-overdue solution to the challenges of regulating nursing and midwifery in the country.”
“For years, we have struggled with outdated manual processes that hinder our ability to regulate the profession effectively,” she said. “This new database will not only improve efficiency but also safeguard the credibility of our profession by ensuring that all licensed nurses and midwives meet the required standards.”
The digitisation of the SLNMC will have far-reaching benefits beyond efficiency. It is expected to significantly improve regulatory compliance and strengthen accountability within the sector.
“With digital records, we can easily monitor qualifications, track license renewals, and prevent unauthorised practice,” Massally added. “This is a huge step forward in protecting patient safety and improving healthcare delivery across Sierra Leone.”
UNFPA, a key partner in the initiative, highlighted the broader impact of this digital solution. Sibeso Mululuma, UNFPA Sierra Leone’s Officer-in-Charge, stated that investing in digital healthcare regulation aligns with UNFPA’s mission to enhance maternal and reproductive health services.
“By improving the efficiency of nurses and midwives’ registration, we are collectively contributing to a more responsive and capable health workforce,” Mululuma said. “This will ultimately improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in Sierra Leone.”
The DSTI, which is leading the technical implementation of the project, envisions the system as a model for other professional regulatory bodies in Sierra Leone.
“The system we are building is robust and adaptable,” said Ibrahim Rashid Bayoh, Technical Director at DSTI. “It has the potential to be expanded to other regulatory agencies, such as the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Council, further enhancing oversight in other professions.”
Tigidankay Bah, Project Manager at DSTI, emphasised that the initiative is more than just a database it is a foundational step toward modernising healthcare governance.
“Our goal is to build a system that is efficient, scalable, and sustainable,” Bah stated. “This project is a testament to DSTI’s commitment to leveraging technology for impactful reforms across multiple sectors.”
This is not DSTI’s first initiative in digital healthcare solutions. The institution previously partnered with the Ministry of Health and UNFPA to develop PReSTrack, a digital platform designed to improve pregnancy registration and maternal healthcare services.
Jasper Sembie, Director and Chief Operating Officer of DSTI, pointed out that these efforts are part of a broader mission to digitise healthcare regulation in Sierra Leone.
“The digitisation of the SLNMC is a game-changer in our efforts to improve regulatory efficiency,” Sembie said. “By ensuring data security, enhancing accountability, and reducing administrative bottlenecks, this system will contribute to better healthcare delivery in Sierra Leone.”
As the project progresses, stakeholders remain optimistic that this digital transformation will not only strengthen nursing and midwifery regulation but also inspire further innovation across the healthcare sector.