Thursday, October 31, 2024 – In a bold move to elevate registration services, a high-ranking team from the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA)’s Births and Deaths Directorate, spearheaded by Superintending Director Mrs. Roselyn Massaquoi, executed unannounced monitoring and supervision visits to securitized Births and Deaths Registration outstation canters across various health facilities in Freetown on Tuesday, 29th October, 2024. This strategic initiative aimed to scrutinize staff performance, address operational challenges, and fortify partnerships with hospital administrations.
The team’s inaugural stop was the prestigious Connaught Government Hospital, the esteemed Teaching Hospital of the University of Sierra Leone. There, the Births and Deaths Unit staff highlighted their ongoing public education efforts regarding the significance of the complimentary “Current Death Certificate” for deaths occurring within a 90-day window. They elucidated the meticulous process of issuing death certificates, emphasizing that these vital documents are only provided upon receipt of an official medical cause of death from the hospital, ensuring a dignified and transparent procedure. The staff expressed profound satisfaction with the robust and supportive relationship they enjoy with Connaught’s management.
In a pivotal meeting, the NCRA delegation convened with Mr. Tejan Buakay Bayoh, Secretary of Connaught Hospital, to evaluate the impact of NCRA’s registration services. Mr. Bayoh lauded the staff for their indispensable role in facilitating prompt registrations and adeptly managing any arising issues.
The delegation’s journey continued to the Police Medical Services at Kingtom Police Barracks. Mrs. Massaquoi and her team conducted a thorough review of births and deaths records at the NCRA unit before engaging with AIG Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Jalloh, Director of Police Medical Services. Dr. Jalloh extolled the NCRA staff’s dedication and drew a favorable comparison between Sierra Leone’s efficient 90-day free registration window and his experiences abroad. He remarked, “In England, we endured a significantly longer wait to complete all birth documentation for my first son. Here, the NCRA offers expeditious, cost-free services to new parents.”
Mrs. Massaquoi, who also holds the position of NCRA’s Human Resources Director, took the opportunity to confer with the Matron at the Police Medical Center, assessing staff attendance and discipline. Her commendation of the NCRA staff’s professionalism and commitment was echoed by other senior management, including AIG Dr. Jalloh.
The final leg of the inspection tour brought the team to the Aberdeen Women’s Center. There, NCRA staff recounted their journey of overcoming challenges with steadfast support from management. Mrs. Massaquoi and her Deputy, Mr. Sahr Foday, were guided by the Center’s Supervisor, Madam Margaret Bangura. In a poignant moment, they addressed a gathering of expectant and new mothers, underscoring the critical importance of birth registration. The team encouraged mothers to capitalize on the free, on-site registration for newborns and informed them about the affordable registration options available at the NCRA’s Births and Deaths Office on Wilberforce Street for children over 90 days old and parents without birth certificates.
This series of surprise inspections at outstation securitized Births and Deaths Registration Centers in Freetown by the NCRA’s Births and Deaths Directorate leadership exemplifies the agency’s unwavering commitment to service excellence and accessibility. These core principles are championed by the NCRA’s visionary Director General and Pioneer of Delivery, Mr. Mohamed Mubashir MASSAQUOI. These concerted efforts align seamlessly with President Julius Maada Bio’s transformative “Big 5 Development Initiative,” which aims to deliver quality and affordable services across Sierra Leone.
(C) Directorate of Information, Education and Communications, NCRA.
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