By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
In a major step toward promoting women’s health and wellness, Orange Sierra Leone Women on Tuesday September 30, 2025 organized a one-day Holistic Health Seminar under the theme: “OSL Women Well-being.” The event brought together medical experts, corporate leaders and community members to address critical health challenges affecting women, ranging from reproductive health and workplace stress to mental well-being.
Delivering the opening remarks, OSL Women President, Priscilla Okechukwu, highlighted the importance of creating safe spaces for women to openly discuss health issues. She noted that the seminar was designed to empower women with knowledge and resources, thanks to a lineup of expert speakers and supportive partners. Gifts were also provided to participants as a gesture of encouragement.
Guiding the day’s proceedings was Georgina Vincent, Legal and Compliance Manager of Orange Money Finance Sierra Leone (OMFSL), who served as the Master of Ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Agnes Songa, Human Resources Director, underscored the need for workplaces to prioritize women’s well-being. She emphasized that women often shoulder multiple roles as professionals, caregivers and mothers and require strong support systems to thrive. Agnes Songa urged participants to uplift one another and remain visible in the workforce by upholding positive values and avoiding complacency.
The medical segment commenced with a detailed presentation by Dr. Rosetta Cole, who educated participants about fibroids; a common but often misunderstood health condition affecting women, particularly of African descent. She outlined symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pain and fertility issues, while stressing that not all fibroids require treatment. Dr. Rosetta Cole highlighted diagnosis methods and treatment options, encouraging early consultations.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Patricia Bah, Chief Nursing Officer at the Ministry of Health, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to reducing maternal mortality and expanding access to reproductive health services through initiatives like universal health coverage. She emphasized the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to women’s health, which would include addressing non-communicable diseases and advancing legislation such as the pending Mental Health Bill.
A representative from Palanie and Sons Pharmaceuticals spoke about the company’s commitment to providing affordable medicines and expanding services nationwide, inviting participants to take advantage of their offerings.
The seminar closed with an engaging session on mental health, led by Dr. Melvina Thompson. She discussed the links between stress, chronic illnesses and workplace burnout. Dr. Melvina Thompson highlighted warning signs of stress, such as irritability, low energy and poor sleep and encouraged women to build resilience through exercise, strong support networks and self-care practices.
The event concluded on a strong note, with participants expressing gratitude for the knowledge shared and the solidarity fostered. The seminar served as a call to action for greater awareness and collaboration among communities, Government institutions and corporate bodies to ensure that women in Sierra Leone lead healthier and more productive lives.
