In order to have an in-depth understanding of the role in the processing of the invalidity benefits and to fulfill legislative requirements, Management organized a one-day orientation and swearing-in ceremony for newly appointed Medical Board members at the NASSIT Conference Hall on the 28th. June, In addressing the appointees, the Director-General (DG)of NASSIT Mr. Mohamed Fuaad Daboh welcomed all to the orientation and swearing-in ceremony especially the Board of Trustees.
The DG noted that nothing was done out of the mandate of the Scheme as the Medical Board is an integral part of the Scheme and in the absence of the Medical Board the operations of the Trust will be undermined. He reiterated that all invalidity benefits issues that were withheld as a result of the delay in the appointment of the Medical Board will now be processed immediately informed the new Board Members that in Social Security matters, discharging their duties override medical issues. Mr. Daboh said he believes that Dr. Naoh, having served the Trust as a Medical Board Member for the past ten years would have vast experience in the field and will share his expertise with the new Medical Board Members.
To enhance their understanding, the DG encouraged the new team to ask questions on the manner in which they will be engaging claimants in their proceedings As he closed, the DG congratulated the newly appointed Medical Board Members. He craved on their indulgence to cooperate with Management for the good of the Institution. The Head, Litigation, Israel Jah explained that the Medical Board constitute three persons not being employees of the Trust but appointed by the NASSIT Board, two of whom shall be medical practitioners of proven ability, one of whom shall be chairman, and the third shall be a person belonging to another profession recognized by the laws of Sierra Leone. Presentations were done by the Head, Benefit, Mr. Edwin Kamara, Deputy Director of Operations, Mr. Ismael Kandeh and former Medical Board Member, Dr. Noah Conteh. The New Members were sworn-in by the Acting Director, Ms. Cole. The Medical Board is a statutory creation of the NASSIT Act No. 5 of 2001 which deals with the validation of claimants for payment of the invalidity benefits . The Medical Board is a statutory creation of the NASSIT Act No. 5 of 2001 which deals with the validation of claimants for payment of the invalidity benefits . The Medical Board ascertains whether a member/ claimant is permanently and totally incapable of further employment. Thier decision enables the claimant to be awarded or be disqualified for invalidity pension