Who we are
The Directorate of Hospital and Ambulance Services (DHAS) is a technical directorate within the Ministry of Health, Sierra Leone, responsible for providing strategic leadership, coordination, supervision and oversight of hospital and ambulance services.
DHAS plays a central role in strengthening the performance of hospitals and referral services by supporting effective hospital governance, quality improvement, clinical service delivery, infrastructure development, human-resource capacity, emergency referral systems, biomedical equipment management, hospital performance monitoring and accountability.
The Directorate works closely with hospital management teams, the National Emergency Medical Services (NEMS), district health authorities, development partners and other stakeholders to ensure that hospitals provide safe, efficient, equitable and patient-centred healthcare services.
DHAS also has an important role in implementing the National Hospital Strategy and strengthening hospital systems across Sierra Leone. Recent hospital performance reviews have focused on hospital governance, service utilisation, infrastructure, workforce capacity, data systems, emergency referral systems and biomedical engineering.
The establishment of the Biomedical Unit within DHAS in March 2025 further strengthened the Directorate’s role in installation, calibration and preventive maintenance of medical equipment, with the ultimate goal of improving quality of care and patient safety.
An equitable, accessible, affordable, resilient, efficient and patient-centred hospital and emergency care system delivering safe, equitable and high-quality healthcare services for all in Sierra Leone.
This vision aligns with the Ministry’s broader vision of achieving Universal Health Coverage through an efficient, high-quality, accessible, equitable and affordable health system.
To provide strategic leadership, coordination, supervision and support to hospitals and emergency medical services in Sierra Leone, ensuring quality, safe, efficient, equitable and patient-centred healthcare through effective governance, skilled health workers, functional infrastructure, appropriate technology, reliable referral systems and continuous quality improvement.
This reflects DHAS’s documented focus on strengthening hospital leadership and governance, improving clinical services, supporting infrastructure and equipment, and strengthening emergency referral systems.
Mandate
To provide strategic and technical oversight for hospital and emergency medical services in Sierra Leone and to ensure that hospitals operate effectively, safely and accountably in accordance with national health policies, standards, strategies and regulations.
Strengthen hospital management structures, leadership, accountability and institutional performance.
Conduct regular supervision, monitoring and assessment of hospitals to identify gaps and facilitate corrective action.
Promote quality improvement, patient safety, clinical effectiveness and standards of care across hospitals.
Strengthen emergency medical response, ambulance services and referral pathways between PHUs, district hospitals and higher-level facilities.
Support the development, rehabilitation, maintenance and effective utilisation of hospital infrastructure, medical equipment and technology.
Coordinate biomedical engineering support, including installation, calibration and preventive maintenance of medical equipment.
Identify workforce gaps and support training, mentorship, deployment and continuous professional development with relevant Ministry directorates.
Strengthen hospital performance monitoring, reporting, data quality and evidence-based decision-making.
Coordinate with development partners, NGOs, professional bodies and other stakeholders supporting hospital and emergency services.
Support implementation, monitoring and review of national hospital policies, strategies, standards and guidelines.
What guides us
We put the needs, safety, dignity and wellbeing of patients at the centre of everything we do.
We uphold honesty, professionalism, ethical conduct and transparency in the delivery and management of hospital services.
We take responsibility for our decisions, actions, resources and results.
We continuously strive for high standards of clinical care, hospital management and emergency services.
We work collaboratively with healthcare workers, hospitals, communities, partners and other stakeholders to achieve shared health outcomes.
We embrace evidence, technology, data and new approaches to improve healthcare delivery and hospital performance.
Structure
DHAS is organised around its major functions. The structure below is proposed and pending validation of titles and reporting lines by the Director before official publication.
Note: this is a proposed functional structure, not yet an official DHAS organogram. The Ministry currently publishes a general Ministry organogram only.
Leadership
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Directorate of Hospital and Ambulance Services (DHAS), Ministry of Health, Sierra Leone.
The Directorate is committed to strengthening hospital and emergency medical services across the country by promoting quality, safe, equitable, efficient and patient-centred healthcare delivery. Our work is centred on improving hospital governance and leadership, strengthening clinical services, enhancing emergency and referral systems, supporting hospital infrastructure and biomedical equipment, and promoting continuous quality improvement.
We recognise that strong hospitals are fundamental to a resilient health system. Therefore, DHAS continues to work closely with hospital management teams, healthcare workers, development partners, district health authorities and communities to identify challenges, implement practical solutions and improve health outcomes.
Our commitment extends beyond infrastructure and equipment. We believe that people are at the heart of healthcare. We are therefore committed to supporting our healthcare workers through effective supervision, capacity building, mentorship, improved working environments and stronger systems of accountability and performance.
As we move forward, we will continue to embrace innovation, data-driven decision-making, teamwork, transparency and accountability. We will also strengthen partnerships and ensure that resources are directed towards interventions that have the greatest impact on patients and communities.
Our vision is clear: to build a resilient, efficient and patient-centred hospital and emergency care system that provides safe and high-quality services to every Sierra Leonean.
I invite all staff, partners and stakeholders to join us in this important journey. Together, through dedication, professionalism and collective action, we can transform our hospitals and contribute to a stronger and healthier Sierra Leone.
