By George M.O. Williams
FREETOWN, March 2026 – The University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex (USLTHC) has celebrated decades of dedicated service, marking its significant contributions to medical training, research, and specialist care in Sierra Leone.
The USLTHC comprises six major hospitals—Connaught Hospital, Princess Christian Maternity Hospital, Ola During Children’s Hospital, Kissy Psychiatric Hospital, Lakka Infectious Diseases Hospital, and the Sierra Leone–China Friendship Hospital at Jui—alongside affiliated institutions such as regional hospitals in Makeni, Bo, and Kenema, the Emergency Trauma Centre in Goderich, and Choithram Memorial Hospital in Hill Station.
Honoring Contributions
During the celebration, certificates and gifts were presented to individuals who have played pivotal roles in the institution’s growth, including board members, heads of departments, consultants, and development partners. Special recognition was given to Dr. Khanide for his bold ideas and lasting contributions to Sierra Leone’s medical training and healthcare structure.
Achievements in Training and Care
One of the institution’s most notable accomplishments has been the dramatic increase in resident doctors, rising from just 15 to 144. Over the years, USLTHC has also produced about 30 home-trained specialists and five consultants, strengthening the country’s capacity for specialized medical care.
Neurosurgery has been successfully reintroduced, with over 600 neurosurgical cases attended, more than 30 brain surgeries performed, and 28 neurosurgical nurses trained. Connaught Hospital now boasts a CT scanner and major equipment donations, closing critical service gaps and reducing preventable mortality.
Research and Academic Development
The complex has advanced academic and research development by establishing the Sierra Leone Journal of Medicine and organizing research methodology training for doctors nationwide. These initiatives promote evidence-based practice and improve healthcare outcomes.
Leadership Reflections
Current Chairperson Dr. Sonia Spencer expressed satisfaction with the growth of neurosurgery services, crediting collaboration with Mission Brain and international partners for enabling Sierra Leonean doctors to receive specialized training abroad. She also highlighted progress in pathology and psychiatry, noting that psychiatric doctors at Kissy Psychiatric Teaching Hospital have increased from two to nine, significantly improving mental health services.
Dr. Spencer emphasized the need for more resources to expand training programs, recruit professionals, and acquire modern equipment, stressing that improved facilities will encourage citizens to seek care in government hospitals.
Chairperson of the occasion, Prof. Muriel Harris, congratulated the board and staff for their collective efforts in strengthening Sierra Leone’s healthcare system despite challenges.
The first Chairperson, Dr. Neimata Majeks‑Walker, reflected on the early years of the initiative, recalling how in 2017 the board embarked on the daunting task of coordinating teaching hospitals nationwide. She credited the progress made to dedication, collaboration, and a shared vision for excellence in medical service and training.
A Milestone for Healthcare
The celebration underscored USLTHC’s role in transforming Sierra Leone’s healthcare landscape through education, service delivery, and research. With continued collaboration and investment, the institution aims to further strengthen medical capacity and improve health outcomes for the nation.