By George M.O. Williams
Freetown, July 14, 2026: Specialist healthcare services at the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex (USLTHC) have received a major boost following donations of medical equipment and office supplies to two key departments.
At a ceremony held Tuesday at the USLTHC headquarters on Percival Street, a modern gynaecological operating set was presented to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH), while the Department of Ophthalmology at Connaught Hospital received printers, toner cartridges, paper, monitors, and other office equipment. The operating set was donated by Dr. Theodore Jarrett, while the office supplies came from an anonymous benefactor.
Dr. Sonia Spencer, Chairperson of the USLTHC Board of Administration, described the donations as timely interventions that will strengthen specialist departments and enhance service delivery. She noted that the gesture aligns with broader efforts to expand specialist healthcare across the teaching hospitals, citing the progress of the Neurosurgery Unit, which now benefits from a Ministry of Health-supported CT scanner for accurate diagnosis and successful neurosurgical operations.
Dr. Spencer further disclosed that USLTHC has established a medical journal to advance research and foster collaboration with international institutions. She highlighted that postgraduate medical training continues to record impressive gains, with candidates achieving a 100 percent pass rate in international examinations across several disciplines.
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at PCMH, Dr. Michael Ezeanochie, welcomed the donation, noting that the department has struggled to meet growing demand for specialised procedures. He explained that some equipment used in treating gynaecological cancers could only serve one patient at a time, causing delays. The new operating set, he said, will reduce waiting times and improve access to life-saving care.
Receiving the office equipment on behalf of the Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. Harrison Williams described the donation as a morale booster for healthcare professionals and resident doctors. He expressed gratitude to Dr. Jarrett and the anonymous donor, stressing that the support will strengthen residency training, improve efficiency, and ultimately enhance patient care.