By Abass Mahmoud Sillah Jr
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Emergency Medical Service (NEMS), Dr. Songor Koedoyoma, has outlined key reforms and progress made in strengthening emergency medical services, emphasising teamwork, leadership restructuring and improved operational efficiency. Speaking in an interview, Dr. Koedoyoma described NEMS as a critical arm of the country’s healthcare system, tasked with ensuring that patients are transported to medical facilities in a prompt, safe and professional manner.
“For me, I always say ‘we’—because I am part of a team,” he said. “The leadership of that team begins with the Minister of Health, who recognised that there were challenges within NEMS and took steps to reposition the service.” He explained that the restructuring process involved collaboration with senior health officials, including Dr. Kaba, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Services, alongside a team of supervisors tasked with improving management systems and operational control.
“They said, ‘Dr. Songor, you and your team should take charge and improve the system.’ That required changes in leadership, coordination and accountability structures,” he said. Despite ongoing challenges, Dr. Koedoyoma said the service has recorded measurable improvements since the introduction of new management strategies. He noted that the number of emergency interventions carried out in 2025 has already surpassed the combined total recorded in 2022, 2023 and 2024—an indication of increased responsiveness and efficiency.
“It has not been easy,” he added. “But with a change in thinking and leadership structure, we have significantly improved our response capacity.” A major focus of the reforms, he said, has been improving the availability and reliability of ambulances nationwide. He stressed that proper maintenance and timely servicing are critical to sustaining operations, noting that fuel and maintenance are the lifeline of the service. “We have prioritised routine maintenance—changing oil, fuel filters and other essential components—to keep ambulances running efficiently,” he said.
Dr. Koedoyoma added that avoiding major mechanical breakdowns requires consistent investment in spare parts and preventive care. “If you neglect basic maintenance, you end up with bigger mechanical problems that take vehicles off the road for longer periods,” he said. He emphasised that NEMS represents the frontline of the Ministry of Health in emergency situations and must uphold high standards of professionalism. He underscored the importance of ensuring that patients are transported safely—not in taxis or motorbikes, but in properly equipped ambulances staffed by trained personnel.
“We are an invisible but critical representation of the Ministry of Health,” he said. “Our responsibility is to ensure that every patient receives timely and professional emergency transport.” While progress has been made, the NEMS Chief Executive Officer acknowledged that challenges persist, particularly in funding, logistics and resource management. However, he maintained that the reforms introduced so far have laid a strong foundation for continued improvement.
Reaffirming his commitment to strengthening the national emergency response system, Dr. Koedoyoma said sustained investment, improved coordination and continued institutional support will be essential to building a resilient and effective service. “We are making progress, but there is still more to be done,” he said. “Our goal is to ensure that every Sierra Leonean has access to reliable emergency medical services when they need it most.”
