By George M.O Williams
Freetown, March 2, 2026 — Partners In Health (PIH) has honoured Dr. Sonia Melissa Spencer, Chairperson of the Board of the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex, and Professor Kehinde Sunday Oluwadiya, Chief Medical Director, for their outstanding contributions to strengthening the institution and advancing specialist medical training in Sierra Leone.
The ceremony, held at the Teaching Hospital on Percival Street, brought together senior management staff, medical practitioners, and development partners to celebrate what many described as a historic milestone for Sierra Leone’s health sector, particularly in mental health services.
Dr. Marta Lado, Director of Clinical Programs at PIH Sierra Leone, praised the hospital leadership for their commitment to building resilient teaching and training structures.
She highlighted the psychiatric residency programme as one of the most significant achievements of PIH’s collaboration with the Teaching Hospitals Complex.
Dr. Lado emphasized that Sierra Leone is now witnessing the graduation of its first generation of locally trained psychiatric residents, a landmark development in a country where specialist mental health professionals have long been scarce.
Professor Oluwadiya expressed gratitude to PIH, describing the organization as a “blessing to Sierra Leone.” He noted that the recognition serves as motivation for continued excellence and credited Dr. Spencer’s visionary leadership for many of the institution’s achievements.
He pointed to the growth in resident doctors — from just over a dozen several years ago to more than one hundred today — as evidence of effective leadership and deliberate planning.
Dr. Spencer described the honour as inspiring, reflecting more than six years of perseverance and collaboration. She stressed that the success of the psychiatric residency programme demonstrates what can be achieved when institutions and partners work together in trust and commitment.
The psychiatric residency programme is expected to significantly strengthen mental health services in Sierra Leone, reducing reliance on external expertise and ensuring sustainable capacity-building within the country’s health system.