Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby, has reportedly rescinded medical doctor postings issued during his absence from the country, while Chief Medical Officer Rev. Canon Dr. Thomas T. Samba was directed to proceed on terminal leave.

Table Of Content

Postings withdrawn
Chief Medical Officer told to take leave
Questions over ministerial authority

The developments were recorded in two ministry-related letters dated 13 October and 15 October 2021.

Postings withdrawn

According to the report, Dr. Demby advised his two deputies and the Chief Medical Officer not to proceed with medical doctor postings before he travelled to New York as part of the President’s official delegation to the United Nations General Assembly.

The report says the postings went ahead during his absence without reference to him. After returning, Dr. Demby instructed Permanent Secretary Morie Momoh to withdraw them.

In a letter dated 13 October, Mr. Momoh informed medical superintendents, district medical officers, directors and programme managers that the postings dated 5 October had been cancelled.

“I write under instructions of the Hon. Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby, to refer to the above (Rescinding of Postings in respect of Medical Doctors in Health Facilities), and to inform all Doctors (Medical Superintendents, District Medical Officers, Directors and Program Managers) that the recent postings dated 5th October 2021 released by the Chief Medical Officer has been rescinded,” the letter stated.

The available information does not specify how many doctors or health facilities were affected, nor does it give reasons for the decision to rescind the postings.

Chief Medical Officer told to take leave

A separate letter from the Human Resource Management Office, dated 15 October, directed Dr. Samba to begin terminal leave immediately and no later than 19 October.

“I am directed to refer to the above subject matter and to inform you that you are to proceed on terminal leave with immediate effect in any case not later than Tuesday, 19th October, 2021,” the letter said.

The report attributes the decision to the minister’s influence, while the HRMO letter provides the formal instruction. It does not state the duration of the leave or give a reason for it.

Questions over ministerial authority

The reported dispute has also drawn attention to arrangements for ministerial leadership during official travel. The report says Dr. Demby asked one of his deputies to act as minister during his trip to the United States.

It also recalls that, during Dr. Alpha Wurie’s tenure as Health and Sanitation Minister, neither of his two deputies was permitted to act as minister while he was outside Sierra Leone.

The report further says that Dr. Demby’s reported efforts to bring long-time friends from the United States into senior positions at the ministry were facing resistance, particularly from his two deputies. That account has not been independently verified.