The Directorate of Hospital and Ambulance Services (DHAS), acting on the directives of the Chief Medical Officer, has intensified preparations to bring an additional 40 beds into full utilization at the Julius Maada Bio Pediatric Centre of Excellence (JMBPCE) as part of efforts to strengthen pediatric surgical services in Sierra Leone.
The initiative is also aimed at ensuring continuity of specialized pediatric surgical care while preparations continue for the planned renovation of the surgical theatre at Connaught Hospital.
Discussions held on Thursday, 16 September 2026, brought together representatives from DHAS, hospital management and clinical teams to assess the readiness of the facility and identify key requirements for the expansion of services. Areas reviewed included surgical equipment and instruments, medicines, consumables, human resources, anaesthesia and diagnostic services.
Particular attention was placed on ensuring that pediatric surgical services continue with minimal disruption during the renovation of the Connaught Hospital theatre. The teams are therefore assessing the capacity of the JMBPCE to support the additional workload and provide safe and accessible specialized care for children.
One of the key issues identified during the assessment was the need for pediatric-specific surgical instruments and equipment. Some of the equipment currently available is primarily designed for adult patients, highlighting the need for supplies that are appropriately suited to pediatric procedures.
The team agreed to review equipment and supplies already received, verify items expected through ongoing procurement processes and identify outstanding gaps. Clinical teams will also participate in reviewing incoming supplies to ensure that the equipment meets required specifications and is suitable for pediatric surgical procedures.
Human-resource capacity was another major area of focus. The discussions highlighted the need for adequate numbers of specialists, medical officers, theatre nurses, anaesthesia personnel and other support staff to sustain the expanded services.
Plans are also being considered to identify health workers with an interest in pediatric surgery and provide opportunities for mentorship, training and appropriate deployment. The approach is expected to contribute to strengthening local expertise and building a more sustainable pediatric surgical workforce.
Patient safety was emphasized throughout the discussions, particularly in relation to anaesthesia, equipment functionality and calibration, laboratory services and ultrasound capacity. DHAS and its partners are expected to continue working closely with hospital teams to address the gaps identified during the assessment.
Further reviews will be conducted to assess progress and determine readiness ahead of the planned renovation of the Connaught Hospital surgical theatre.
The initiative forms part of the Ministry of Health’s broader efforts to strengthen specialized healthcare services, develop the health workforce and ensure that investments in health infrastructure translate into safe, accessible and quality care for children requiring specialized surgical treatment.
