Freetown, September 8, 2025 – As a way of modernizing public service delivery, the Government of Sierra Leone has officially launched a fully digitalized recruitment process to onboard 3,000 new health workers nationwide. The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Health Service Commission (SLHSC) and the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), marks a major shift from the manual, often cumbersome systems of previous years.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Ministry’s headquarters at Youyi Building, Brookfield’s, Deputy Minister of Health II, Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha, described the launch as a “transformational moment” for Sierra Leone’s health sector.
“Between 2022 and 2024, we recruited about 2,000 personnel, but the process took nearly two years and was riddled with inefficiencies,” she said. “Officials had to abandon their posts and travel to Freetown, and there were troubling reports of people collecting money for the recruitment of personnel. This new digital system changes everything.”
The recruitment portal, which officially opened on 8th September 2025, allows applicants to submit their credentials online from anywhere in the country, eliminating the need for costly travel and centralizing the process for greater transparency.
Dr. Mustapha revealed that while external consultants estimated eight months to build the system, the Ministry’s internal technical team completed it in just one, saving time, money, and public trust.
“You can be in Pujehun or Kailahun and apply from there. No need to come to Freetown,” she emphasized.
The digital platform is designed to ensure merit-based selection and equitable distribution of health workers across districts. Applicants will be able to choose their preferred posting locations, with priority given to those who have previously volunteered or served in the public health system.
The recruitment aligns with President Julius Maada Bio’s broader vision for people-centred healthcare delivery. According to Dr. Mustapha, the President has emphasized that without a qualified and well-distributed workforce, even the best facilities and medical supplies will fall short.
“This is not just a Ministry initiative, it’s a national priority,” she said. “We’re building a system that reflects fairness, efficiency, and accountability.”
The application window will remain open until the end of September.
