Sierra Leone Unveils Starlink Connectivity for 300 Public Health Facilities

Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby has unveiled Starlink satellite internet connectivity for 300 government health facilities across Sierra Leone, in an initiative aimed at supporting the country’s digital transformation in healthcare.

The unveiling took place at the Julius Maada Bio Pediatric Center of Excellence in Lumley, Freetown. The connectivity is described as providing reliable, high-speed internet capability to government hospitals and health facilities nationwide.

Supporting digital health services

The rollout is intended to improve access to digital health platforms, speed up reporting through electronic systems and expand opportunities for online training. It is also expected to support the flow of data and knowledge for trainees.

In a statement on the initiative, Demby said: “Beyond faster communication, the new internet capability supports easier access to digital health platforms, quicker reporting practices through electronic systems, and expanded opportunities for online training,”

The improved connection is also intended to help doctors in different parts of Sierra Leone collaborate with colleagues hundreds of miles away. Expected benefits described for the health system include better-coordinated care, a stronger emergency response and improved health service delivery.

Move toward digital records

Demby described the initiative as supporting the transition from paper-based patient-record management to a fully digital system.

The enhanced connectivity is expected to benefit the Paediatric School of Excellence and its forthcoming counterpart in Kono. The source information does not specify an implementation timetable, the cost of the rollout, its funding arrangements or the names of all 300 facilities included in the initiative.