Masanga Hospital Begins Transition to Full Government Ownership.

In a move set to reshape healthcare access in the region, Masanga Hospital in Tonkolili District, has officially begun its transition to becoming a fully government-owned and operated facility. The shift, to be completed by the end of 2026, signals a major step in Sierra Leone’s drive to fortify its public health infrastructure for the long term.

The change was palpable on the ground on January 2026 as Health Minister Dr. Austin Demby personally commissioned a new 50-bed Emergency and Trauma Care Unit and a cutting-edge modern laboratory. Amid the buzz of activity, the Minister also inspected the rising steel and concrete of a state-of-the-art pediatric centre now under construction all clear signs of a deepening government investment in the hospital’s future.

“What we are seeing here is not just new buildings, but the foundation of a stronger, more unified health system,” Minister Demby told gathered staff and community members. He framed the transition as a strategic integration of a proven, partner-supported facility into the national network, a move designed to boost efficiency, ensure accountability, and, above all, guarantee quality care for thousands of residents here and beyond.

Masanga’s journey to this point is a story of revival. Two decades ago, a powerful three-way partnership between the Government of Sierra Leone, the Association of Friends of Masanga (Denmark), and Sierra Leonean Adventists Abroad (UK) breathed new life into the hospital. That collaboration fueled dramatic growth: from a skeleton crew of just five government health workers in 2006, the staff has expanded to forty-nine ministry-pinned professionals today, enabling robust services in maternity care, surgery, diagnostics, and more.

The newly opened units are already set to make an impact. The Trauma Bay stands ready to handle emergencies from the busy Magburaka corridor, while the advanced laboratory will slash diagnosis times. The forthcoming pediatric wing promises a dedicated sanctuary for the region’s youngest patients.

As the handover progresses, officials and long-term partners have pledged a seamless shift, one that protects the hospital’s hard-won standards and supports its dedicated workforce. The goal is clear: to transform two decades of successful partnership into enduring, locally-rooted sustainability.

Masanga Hospital’s evolution from aided mission to public cornerstone showcases what vision and cooperation can achieve. Once the transition is complete, this revitalized institution is poised to become an even more vital lifeline for the communities of Tonkolili District.

Correspindent-John Alieu

Ministry of Health