NMSA: National Medical Supplies Agency

01/05/2026

31/03/2026

Blessed birthday wishes to our Managing Director Madam Jatu Josephine Abdulai.

25/03/2026

Earlier today, the Managing Director of the National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA), Madam Jatu Abdulai, appeared on Slik TV alongside the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mustapha Kabba, to discuss ongoing strides toward building a stronger and more accountable health sector.

During the discussion, the Managing Director highlighted key reforms and actions undertaken by the NMSA. These include intensified engagement with frontline health actors, the rollout of the Electronic Logistics Management Information System (eLMIS), the deployment of mSupply systems at central and district medical stores, the setting up of a commodity security taskforce and the reintroduction of the Cost-Recovery Scheme.

She also emphasized the Agency’s continued distribution activities, which are geared toward improving the efficiency and reliability of the national medical supply chain.

19/03/2026

*NMSA MD Expresses Zero Tolerance for Drug Pilferage and Theft*

_By NMSA Public Relations_

The Managing Director of the National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA), Madam Jatu Josephine Abdulai, has expressed in the strongest terms the Agency’s zero-tolerance stance towards corruption, theft, and the mismanagement of medical supplies.

She made this statement while addressing journalists during a press briefing on the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of several portable ultrasound machines, an incident that has raised concerns about its impact on healthcare delivery across the country.

Speaking at the briefing, Madam Abdulai emphasized that the matter is being treated with urgency due to its implications for access to critical diagnostic services in health facilities.

She disclosed that the Agency is working closely with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to thoroughly investigate the incident. According to the Managing Director, all staff involved in the supply and distribution chain during the period under review have been made available to assist in the investigation.

“The Agency is fully cooperating with the ACC to ensure a comprehensive, transparent, and credible process,” Madam Abdulai stated.

The Managing Director reaffirmed the Agency’s firm stance against malpractice, reiterating its zero-tolerance policy on corruption, theft, and mismanagement of medical supplies. She warned that any individual found culpable would face the full force of the law, noting that such actions not only erode public trust but also undermine the delivery of essential healthcare services to citizens.

In response to the incident, the Agency has announced a series of corrective measures aimed at preventing future occurrences. These include strengthening internal control systems, enhancing security at the central warehouse and district distribution points, and intensifying collaboration with the ACC to address systemic gaps.

Additionally, the NMSA is working with the Ministry of Health to roll out a nationwide campaign against drug and medical supply pilferage.

Madam Abdulai also assured the public that every effort is being made to recover the missing ultrasound machines and ensure accountability.

“Our priority is to ensure that these life-saving machines reach the health facilities and communities for which they were intended,” she stressed.

She reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the effective delivery of safe and essential medical supplies nationwide.

25/02/2026

Following similar engagements in the Western Area last week at Ola During Children’s Hospital, Princess Christian Maternity Hospital, and Kingharman Road Government Hospital, the National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA), in collaboration with the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services and the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone, has over the past two days continued its district-level engagements in the northern districts of Koinadugu and Karene.

These engagements form part of ongoing efforts to strengthen pharmaceutical governance and enhance the efficiency of supply chain systems at the district level.

Key discussions have focused on reinforcing operational structures, establishing District Supply Chain Technical Working Groups, and reintroducing the Cost-Recovery Scheme. This initiative is designed to improve accountability, promote sustainability, and ensure the consistent availability of quality medicines across health facilities.

The high-level consultations, held with District Health Management Teams and hospital leadership, aim to generate strategic input to support the successful rollout of the Cost-Recovery Scheme in June 2026.

Feedback from stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong endorsement of the initiative’s objective to enhance access to safe, effective, and quality-assured medicines at the facility level.

The engagements will continue over the next three days in additional northern districts, including Bombali, Tonkolili, Port Loko, and Kambia, as part of a broader national implementation strategy.

19/02/2026

The National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA) has completed the first phase of its district-level engagement with health governance structures in six districts across the Southern and Eastern Regions. The engagement primarily focused on the reintroduction of the cost-recovery scheme designed by the Ministry of Health.

14/02/2026

The National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA) has completed the first phase of its district-level engagement with health governance structures in six districts across the Southern and Eastern Regions. The engagement primarily focused on the reintroduction of the cost-recovery scheme designed by the Ministry of Health.

According to the Managing Director of NMSA, Madam Jatu Abdulai, the engagement was aimed at introducing the redesigned cost-recovery scheme while soliciting input from district health governance structures to ensure its sustainability.

During her interaction with district authorities, Madam Abdulai disclosed that the primary objective of the cost-recovery scheme is to enhance access to quality and affordable medicines for the public, while also promoting accountability within the healthcare system. She further explained that the redesigned scheme is intended not only to complement the Free Health Care Initiative but also to serve segments of the population that do not benefit from it.

One unique aspect of the redesigned cost-recovery scheme, she noted, is that the procurement of drugs and medical supplies will be conducted directly from manufacturers, without the involvement of third-party suppliers. This approach is expected to ensure the availability of affordable, high-quality medicines. The engagement also included visits to health facilities to assess the space and infrastructure required for effective implementation of the scheme at the facility level.

The initiative was warmly welcomed in all six districts visited by the team, which comprised officials from the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services and the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone.

The engagement will continue in the Western Area and the Northern Region to further gather input aimed at strengthening and sustaining the scheme nationwide.

10/02/2026

The National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA), in collaboration with the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services (DPS), the Pharmacy Board, and the Directorate of Stores and Inventory at the Ministry of Finance, is currently on a regional tour in the South and East of the country to strengthen and streamline Health Supply Chain Systems.

The engagement, which began at the Kailahun District Health Management Team (DHMT), targets DHMTs and Public Health facilities. Discussions focus on strengthening human resources, improving operational structures, establishing District Supply Chain Technical Working Groups, and rolling out the Ministry of Health's Cost-Recovery scheme, aimed at increasing public access to quality medicines.

With the Cost-Recovery scheme set for rollout in June this year, the purpose of the engagement is to inform key health governance structures about the scheme's design, while also gathering their input to ensure a successful implementation. The team is also assessing health facilities' current spaces and infrastructure to determine their readiness for the new system.

The ultimate goal of this initiative is to enhance the availability of quality, affordable medicines, while promoting accountability and improving service delivery within the health system.

Over the past two days, the team has visited the Kailahun, Kenema, Pujehun, and Bo DHMTs, as well as Hospitals. The team will continue it reach to other districts in the next two days.

©️ NMSA Public Relations

27/01/2026

The National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA) has convened its first distribution planning meeting for 2026, aimed at ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of drugs and medical supplies to health facilities nationwide.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders involved in the distribution process, including the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services (DPS), the Integrated Health Projects Administration Unit (IHPAU), and development partners such as World Vision and UNICEF.

Discussions focused on developing a coordinated quarterly distribution plan for both the Free Healthcare Initiative and integrated distributions implemented by NMSA and its partners. The plan will serve as a practical guide for executing distribution activities throughout the year, with the goal of improving commodity availability at service delivery points across the country.

The meeting also addressed critical operational issues, including adjustments required in response to the changing funding landscape, pipeline alignment, prioritization of commodities, and the need for timely and efficient delivery to all districts. Participants reviewed distribution timelines and agreed on key milestones to guide implementation.

Additionally, the engagement provided an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned from the previous distribution cycle, identify operational challenges, and agree on improvements to strengthen planning, coordination, and on-time delivery of essential medicines and medical supplies nationwide.