NMSA: National Medical Supplies Agency

19/11/2025

Powering Self Reliance Value Chains that Deliver, Sustain, and Thrive

The Managing Director of the National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA), Madam Jatu Abdulai, yesterday represented Sierra Leone at the Global Health Supply Chain Summit in Kigali, Rwanda. The summit's theme was "Powering Self Reliance: Value Chains that Deliver, Sustain, and Thrive." Madam Abdulai participated in a panel discussion on "Securing Access to Quality Maternal Health."

The gathering aimed to address the urgent need for innovative approaches to healthcare supply chains, bringing together countries and global partners to rethink and redesign healthcare supply chains. The goal is to ensure they consistently deliver better health outcomes and help achieve universal health coverage.

As a panelist, the NMSA Managing Director showcased the strides made by Sierra Leone through the agency, especially on how procurement can be a strategic reform sector to increase access to health commodities for maternal, neonatal and child health while strengthening its health supply chain systems. Her participation highlighted Sierra Leone's commitment to improving healthcare delivery and access to essential medicines.

14/11/2025

*Sierra Leone Health Sector Moves Toward a Smarter, Technology-Driven Supply Chain*

The Ministry of Health and the National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA) have concluded a high-impact technical mission to Rwanda Medical Supply (RMS) Ltd and its pioneering third-party logistics partners, Zipline and Kasha—marking a major step toward transforming Sierra Leone’s public health supply chain.

The visit focused on strengthening national systems, improving last-mile delivery, and building a financially sustainable supply chain that guarantees consistent access to essential medicines across the country.

At RMS, the delegation reviewed world-class warehousing, digital inventory systems, and governance structures that have boosted Rwanda’s efficiency, accountability, and transparency. The team also witnessed Zipline’s state-of-the-art drone operations, which deliver life-saving commodities within minutes to hard-to-reach communities. At Kasha, they explored digital and e-commerce platforms that are expanding access to health and personal care products for underserved populations.

The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that safe, affordable, and high-quality medicines reach every Sierra Leonean—anywhere, anytime.

Already, the mission is yielding tangible progress. NMSA is advancing toward ISO certification to strengthen quality management and build stakeholder confidence. Plans are underway to establish a direct sourcing platform for procuring high-quality medicines more efficiently and at lower cost. Additionally, the NMSA and the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services (DPS) will lead the development of a national pharmaceutical database to improve data visualization, coordination, and evidence-based decision-making.

These reforms signal a new chapter for Sierra Leone’s health supply chain—one that is modern, transparent, technology-driven, and designed to deliver better health outcomes for all.

06/11/2025

The Healy International Relief Foundation, in partnership with PeeCee and Sons, F.L.I.G.H.T., MAP International, and International Health Partners, has handed over a shipment of medical donations to the Ministry of Health through the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services (DPS) for use by the National Public Health Agency (NPHA) and other public and faith-based facilities.

The donation includes personal protective equipment, antibiotics, and essential medicines aimed at strengthening infection prevention and control, improving maternal and child health, and responding to non-communicable diseases.

Josephine Garnem, Executive Director of Healy International Relief Foundation, stated, "Our role is to complement and support the Government of Sierra Leone. We are deeply honored to continue this work in alignment and collaboration with NMSA and NPHA. Your professionalism, responsiveness, and dedication continue to motivate and inspire us."

Dr. Moses Batima, Chief Pharmacist and Director of Pharmaceutical Services, acknowledged receipt of the donated commodities, noting that the essential medicines will strengthen general service delivery nationwide. He commended Healy International Relief Foundation for their steadfast support in strengthening Sierra Leone's national health supply chain system, ensuring access to quality and affordable medicines.

Dr. Henry Carter, Director of Operations at NMSA, praised the partnership between Healy and NMSA, expressing hope for continued collaboration.

Dr. Mohamed Alex Vandi, Deputy Executive Director of NPHA, expressed gratitude for the donation, highlighting its timely support in responding to the Mpox outbreak.

The donated items are currently stored at the National Medical Supplies Agency and will be distributed to facilities accordingly.

28/10/2025

NMSA AT SEVEN

*Speech by the Managing Director*
Madam Jatu Abdulai

Good morning, colleagues,

Sunday, October 26, 2025, marks a significant milestone – seven years since the National Medical Supplies Agency was established. This anniversary is not just a celebration of our founding; it’s a testament to our collective dedication, resilience, and impact.

We honor the visionaries who laid the foundation for this institution – our esteemed Board Members, Dr. Lawrence Sandi and Dr. Moses Batema, and the Senior Management Team. Our journey has been marked by challenges, from systemic hurdles to resource constraints. However, through teamwork and commitment, we have transformed obstacles into opportunities.

Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones: strengthening systems, enhancing supply chain accountability, and ensuring medicines reach those who need them most. These accomplishments are a testament to our national service.

As we celebrate, we also look to the future. To deepen our efficiency, we must embrace innovation, strengthen our digital systems, and foster a culture of excellence and transparency. Our goal is ambitious yet clear: to make NMSA a model public health supply chain agency for the region.

Each of us plays a vital role in this journey. NMSA's story is built daily by all of us, and it is our collective responsibility to drive it forward. Let’s take ownership, invest our energy and ideas, and take pride in our work. When we do, success is inevitable.

To every staff member, I extend my gratitude for your hard work, integrity, and dedication to this agency. Let’s continue building, innovating, and serving with purpose.

Happy 7th Anniversary, NMSA! Together, we move forward – stronger, smarter, and united.

13/10/2025

With support from Global Fund and UNICEF, the National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA) has received three forklifts, warehouse handling equipment, installation, and maintenance tools valued at over Le 4 million. These equipment are expected to enhance NMSA's operational capacity and efficiency in fulfilling its mandate of procuring, warehousing, and distributing drugs and medical supplies across the country.

The equipment will play a crucial role in streamlining warehouse operations, enabling faster and more efficient loading for distribution activities. This, in turn, will improve the availability of essential medicines and medical supplies at healthcare facilities nationwide.

06/10/2025

On September 26, 2025, the National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA) commenced its nationwide distribution of Free Healthcare commodities for the third and fourth quarters of 2025.

The distribution, which started at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital and the Ola During Children's Hospital, aims to ensure uninterrupted access to essential medicines and medical supplies for beneficiaries under the Free Healthcare program, including:
- Pregnant women
- Lactating mothers
- Children under five
- Persons living with disabilities
- Ebola and COVID-19 survivors

These supplies will reach 24 government hospitals, selected private and faith-based hospitals, and all 16 District Medical Stores, with onward delivery to Primary Health Units (PHUs) nationwide.

The commodities, valued at approximately $1.5 million, are provided with support from the UK Government through FCDO, UNICEF, and the Government of Sierra Leone.

As mandated by law, NMSA procures, warehouses, and distributes medicines and medical supplies nationwide, conducting four Free Healthcare distributions annually to strengthen health service delivery. Note that these commodities are not for sale, and anyone found selling them will face severe penalties under the law.

NMSA appeals to the public, health workers, and partners to support in monitoring and safeguarding these commodities. To date, the following facilities and districts have received supplies ¹:
- Princess Christian Maternity Hospital
- Ola During Children's Hospital
- Karene District
- Falaba District
- Koinadugu District

More facilities and districts will receive their supplies in the coming weeks and months.

25/09/2025

23/09/2025

Please click the link below to access our latest Newsletter publication.

17/09/2025

The National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA) has commenced its third-quarter nationwide integrated distribution of essential medicines and medical supplies for 2025. Koinadugu, Falaba, and Moyamba are among the first districts to receive these critical supplies. This distribution follows the successful completion of the first and second-quarter distributions earlier this year.

The current distribution covers medicines for HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), and Malaria, reaching 24 hospitals and 16 District Medical Stores, with subsequent last-mile delivery to Primary Health Units (PHUs) across Sierra Leone. The commodities, valued at approximately $3 million, are provided with support from the Global Fund and are expected to serve government facilities for the next three months.

As the agency mandated to procure, warehouse, and distribute drugs and medical supplies nationwide, NMSA conducts four integrated distributions annually to strengthen health service delivery across the country.

Important Notice: These commodities are not for sale. Anyone found selling them will face severe penalties under the law.

12/09/2025

Earlier today, the National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA) received medical supplies from the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services (DPS), which were donated by the Old Boys of Class 1992-1993 from St. Edwards Secondary School in Freetown. The items included 35 cartons of gloves, 28 cartons of gowns, 28 cartons of masks, 3 cartons of face shields, and 4 cartons of probe covers.

According to Paul Timmy, a member of the group, this donation is part of their support towards the ongoing fight against Mpox in the country. He noted that the group pooled their individual contributions together with members in the diaspora to procure the items, worth thousands of dollars. The group promised to continue their support as part of their contribution to nation-building.

Receiving the items, Yusuf Marah, Representative of the Chief Pharmacist at the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services, thanked the group for their thoughtful gesture, stressing its impact on health service delivery. He noted that the Ministry of Health highly appreciates this donation.

Jatu Abdulai, Managing Director of NMSA, commended the Old Edwardians Class of 1992-1993 for their support to quality health service delivery. She assured the group that the items will be put to proper use to benefit patients across the country and that the monitoring of these items could be done through the use of NMSA's Msupply system.

03/09/2025

Jhpiego, in partnership with the Directorate of Pharmaceutical Services (DPS), National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA), and District Health Management Teams (DHMT), has successfully concluded a joint post-distribution monitoring and verification exercise of essential commodities in five Jhpiego/MCGL-supported districts: Koinadugu, Karene, Port Loko, Bo, and Pujehun. The week-long exercise, conducted from August 25th to 30th, involved two teams, one in the North and the other in the South.

This activity, part of the Momentum Country and Global Leadership (MCGL) project, aimed to improve the efficiency of the supply chain, particularly last-mile distribution of essential maternal, neonatal, and child health commodities. The exercise also sought to prevent the use of expired drugs, enhance accountability in drug utilization, and provide actionable insights for decision-making.

The verification process included observing waybills, cross-checking stock cards, physical counting, and assessing drug store conditions. Additionally, the team provided job coaching to ensure health staff adherence to established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for integrated supply chain management.

The exercise will inform a comprehensive report highlighting improvements, challenges, and recommendations to enhance accountability, quality health service delivery, and supply chain performance in these districts.