By Fatmata Jengbe
In a proactive effort to bolster vital registration services, the Births and Deaths Directorate of the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) conducted unannounced monitoring visits to several securitized Births and Deaths Registration outstation centers in Freetown. Led by Superintending Director Roselyn Massaquoi, the inspections took place on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 and focused on evaluating staff performance, resolving operational issues and strengthening collaboration with hospital management.
The first visit was at Connaught Government Hospital, the University of Sierra Leone’s Teaching Hospital. Staff at the Births and Deaths Unit shared their ongoing efforts to educate the public on the importance of obtaining the free “Current Death Certificate” within 90 days of a person’s passing. They explained the transparent and meticulous procedure of issuing these certificates, which requires an official medical cause of death from the hospital. Staff commended the hospital’s management for its unwavering support in ensuring effective service delivery.
During a meeting with Tejan Buakay Bayoh, Secretary of Connaught Hospital, the NCRA team discussed the effectiveness of registration services. Mr. Bayoh praised the NCRA staff for their dedication to timely registrations and their capacity to address challenges professionally.
The next stop was the Police Medical Services at Kingtom Police Barracks. Mrs. Massaquoi and her team reviewed the unit’s birth and death records before engaging with AIG Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Jalloh, Director of Police Medical Services. Dr. Jalloh commended the NCRA’s efficiency and highlighted Sierra Leone’s 90-day free registration window as a remarkable achievement. Drawing from his personal experiences abroad, he noted, “In England, it took much longer to complete birth documentation for my first child. The NCRA provides swift, free services to new parents here.”
Mrs. Massaquoi, who also serves as NCRA’s Human Resources Director, reviewed staff attendance and discipline during discussions with the Matron of the Police Medical Center. Her praise for the professionalism and commitment of the NCRA staff was echoed by AIG Dr. Jalloh and other senior officials.
The final inspection took place at the Aberdeen Women’s Center. NCRA staff described overcoming previous challenges with management’s support. Accompanied by Deputy Director Mr. Sahr Foday, Mrs. Massaquoi met with the Center’s Supervisor, Madam Margaret Bangura, and addressed a group of expectant and new mothers. They emphasized the critical importance of birth registration and encouraged parents to utilize the free, on-site registration service for newborns. They also provided information on affordable registration options available for children older than 90 days and parents without birth certificates at the NCRA’s Wilberforce Street office.
These surprise inspections underline the NCRA’s commitment to ensuring excellence and accessibility in service delivery. The initiative aligns with the vision of NCRA’s Director General, Mr. Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, to improve vital statistics and foster national development. It also supports President Julius Maada Bio’s transformative “Big 5 Development Initiative”, which prioritizes quality and affordable services for all Sierra Leoneans.
The Births and Deaths Directorate’s dedication to proactive service improvements exemplifies its role in advancing the country’s civil registration system, ensuring timely access to essential documentation for every citizen.
