By: Mohamed Sahr
The Ministry of Health, with support from its partners, has launched Sierra Leone’s Biomedical Unit in a bid to enhance the quality of healthcare across various government health facilities.
The launch, which took place at the City Hall on February 27, 2025, marks a significant commitment to consolidating healthcare delivery through alignment and collaboration.
Dr. Austin Hinga Demby, Minister of Health, stated that Biomedical Technicians would work across a broad spectrum of fields, including designing cutting-edge medical equipment, advancing medical imaging technologies like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans, crafting prosthetics and assistive devices for individuals with disabilities, researching diagnostic systems, managing health data, and implementing medical technologies in clinical settings.
“A strong understanding of both engineering principles and biology and medicine is required,” he said.
Dr. Demby added that professionals in this field would collaborate with physicians, scientists, and other healthcare experts to create innovative solutions that benefit both patients and medical professionals.
He emphasised that the Biomedical Engineering (BME) Unit aims to support all clinical departments in hospitals that use biomedical equipment.
Discussing three foundational issues for achieving quality healthcare, Dr. Demby stressed that healthcare facilities should be more accessible to the people. He assured the public that his leadership would work towards balancing primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare as part of the universal healthcare system.
Dr. Sartie Kenneh, Chief Medical Officer, stated that the establishment of the Biomedical Unit is particularly timely, especially as the Ministry is working to streamline the quality of reproductive healthcare systems. He assured that the Ministry would ensure the retention of trained biomedical engineers, as they play a crucial role in the healthcare system.
Madam Dinse Williams, Biomedical Consultant, outlined the various packages provided during the training and commended the biomedical engineers for their dedication to acquiring new knowledge. She highlighted that preventive maintenance of equipment is essential for effective healthcare delivery. “The Ministry must demand productivity and professionalism from everyone involved,” she said.
Madam Dinse also revealed that there are 60 certified biomedical engineers and 61 volunteers across 30 facilities in Sierra Leone. However, she noted some gaps, including issues with academic qualifications during the training process.
Partners such as the WHO, FCDO, UNICEF, and others reaffirmed their continued support to the Ministry of Health in advancing the quality of the healthcare system.
Abdul Turay, a technician, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health for making their dream a reality. “We assure you that we will do our best to save lives in Sierra Leone,” he said.
