My name is Bassie S.R. Turay. I attended the University of Ife, Ile Ife Nigeria from 1975 to 1979. I did my housemanship at the Amadu Bello University, Nigeria in 1980. I came back home in 1982 and joined the civil service as an Inspecting Primary Health Care Pharmacist in the Ministry of Health Sierra Leone.

Mr. Bassie S.R Turay. Director of Medical and Drugs Supply

I completed a course of study at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration [GIMPA] in 1984 and obtained a certificate in Pharmaceutical System in the Public Sector.

I did a six month program in 1987 on Training of Trainers for Community Health Workers, with Emphasis on Drugs and Medical Supplies Management in Primary Health Care at the University of Massachusetts U.S.A.

From 1988 to 1990 I was the Senior Pharmacist, Ministry of Health. My responsibilities included acting as a counterpart in the implementation of the Essential Drugs Program; participation in project preparation, appraisal, implementation and evaluation of donor sponsored projects of Sierra Leone. I was also actively involved in policy formulation and implementation related projects.

I attended a three month intensive  course on Effective Management and Rationale Use of Drugs in 1992 at the Robert Cordon  University, Aberdeen, Scotland U.K.

Recently I participated in a two weeks training program on Management of Drugs Supply for Health Care in Amsterdam, Holland organized by MSH and IDA (Management Sciences for Health and International Dispensary Association)

From 1993 to date I am the Chief Pharmacist (Director of Drugs and Medical Supplies) Ministry of Health.

My responsibilities are policy formulation and implementation of the National Pharmaceutical Care System for the entire country, and I also act as the chairman of the Drug Regulatory Body of Sierra Leone. I actively participate in project preparation, appraisal, implementation and evaluation of donor sponsored projects, in relation to Essential Drugs Program, Drug Control and Regulation, Drugs and Medical Supplies Management and Health Financing.

I am responsible for the planning and budgeting for the procurement of medical drugs and facilities, storage and distribution of medicines and medical supplies for the Ministry of Health. My job also entails the recruitment and deployment of pharmaceutical staff of the Ministry of Health.