Sierra Leone Launches National Health Information Hub to Strengthen Data-Driven Healthcare
By Sorie Sesay
The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Health, has officially launched the Sierra Leone National Health Information Hub, a major initiative aimed at improving evidence-based decision-making, transparency, and accountability in the country’s health sector.
The launch ceremony took place on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 41B Riverside Drive, Brookfields Annex in Freetown, bringing together senior government officials, development partners, and stakeholders in the health sector.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Clinical Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Mustapha Kabba, described the establishment of the Hub as a historic milestone for both the Ministry and the nation. He said the platform will serve as a central system for generating accurate and timely health data to support faster and more effective decision-making across the sector.
Dr. Kabba noted that for many years, the Ministry struggled with poor data quality, delays, and limited use of available information. In some cases, he said, decisions were based on data that was up to five years old and often collected through surveys that lacked reliability.
“The National Health Information Hub will change this narrative by enabling real-time monitoring of health data across the country,” Dr. Kabba said. He added that the system will support automated reporting, advanced data analysis, and, in the future, the application of artificial intelligence to improve health planning and emergency response.
He further explained that the Hub will operate under a decentralized structure, with data collection centers established in all regions of Sierra Leone. The Freetown facility will serve as the central coordinating hub, consolidating data from health facilities nationwide.
According to Dr. Kabba, the system will collect a wide range of information, including routine health data, service delivery statistics, public health emergency reports, and other key health indicators from medical centers across the country. This, he said, will significantly enhance the Ministry’s ability to respond swiftly to health emergencies and meet the needs of citizens.
In her remarks, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Ms. Seraphine Wakana, described the launch as a landmark achievement that demonstrates strong national leadership and commitment to improving healthcare delivery.
She emphasized that timely, high-quality, and accessible data is critical for effective action in the health sector, noting that delays in health information often limit governments’ ability to respond adequately to the needs of their populations.
“The National Health Information Hub will help us identify who is being reached and who is being left behind,” Ms. Wakana said, adding that this will allow for more targeted and corrective interventions. She stressed that in the 21st century, quality health data is not a luxury but a necessity.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, said the Hub comes at a crucial time and will significantly ease the work of the Ministry. He noted that challenges related to data collection and management have persisted for decades, regardless of which government was in power.
Dr. Demby explained that the new Hub will now serve as the Ministry’s primary source of accurate and reliable health information, providing data on service delivery, public health emergencies, mortality, maternal and child health, and other critical indicators.
He also pointed out that misinformation and delayed reporting in the past negatively affected service delivery. With the establishment of the Hub, he said, the Ministry will no longer have to wait for periodic surveys or annual reports before taking action.
“This system will enable us to make quick, informed decisions that will ultimately improve health services for the people of Sierra Leone,” the Minister said.
Dr. Demby concluded by acknowledging the support of the Government of Sierra Leone, the United Nations, international non-governmental organizations, and other health partners, whose collaboration made the establishment of the National Health Information Hub possible.
