By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
A major milestone in Sierra Leone’s healthcare transformation was recorded on Thursday, 2 April 2026, as President Dr. Julius Maada Bio officially commissioned a state-of-the-art Burns Unit and advanced diagnostic facilities at Connaught Government Hospital in Freetown, in what has been widely described as one of the most significant private sector-supported interventions in the country’s specialized emergency healthcare system. The landmark project, strongly backed by NP (SL) Limited in collaboration with Leonoil Company Limited, represents a strategic response to longstanding gaps in Sierra Leone’s capacity to manage severe burn injuries and other complex medical conditions.
The newly commissioned facilities include advanced publicly owned CT scan technology, modern ultrasound equipment and a fully equipped Burns Unit, all aimed at significantly strengthening Sierra Leone’s diagnostic and emergency response capabilities.
The intervention is expected to improve clinical outcomes, reduce dependence on overseas referrals and enhance confidence in the national healthcare system.
Constructed through a partnership involving NP (SL) Limited, Leonoil Company Limited, Interburns and Resurge Africa, the Burns Unit is the first specialized facility of its kind in Sierra Leone. The 50-bed complex comprises two operating theatres, an intensive care unit and a high dependency unit tailored to serve both adults and children. Its completion addresses a critical void in the country’s health infrastructure, particularly in light of estimates that approximately 40,000 burn cases are recorded annually, the majority of them involving children.
The significance of the project is deeply rooted in the painful lessons of the Wellington fuel tanker explosion of 5 November 2021, a national tragedy that exposed serious limitations in Sierra Leone’s emergency medical preparedness. The disaster, which claimed many lives and left dozens of citizens with devastating injuries, underscored the urgent need for a dedicated burns treatment and recovery facility.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the Executive Chairman of NP (SL) Limited, Dr. Mohamed Babatunde Cole, said the project was inspired by the realities revealed during the Wellington disaster. He noted that the absence of a specialized facility at the time highlighted a glaring weakness in the country’s health response system and reinforced the need for proactive private sector intervention.
According to Dr. Mohamed Babatunde Cole, the collaboration between NP (SL) Limited and Leonoil Company Limited was driven by a patriotic determination to ensure that Sierra Leone would never again be left unprepared in the face of such a disaster. He described the newly commissioned unit as far more than a physical structure, emphasizing that it symbolizes compassion, resilience and a commitment to national service.
He stated that the facility is a place where lives will be saved, where recovery will begin and where hope will be restored, adding that the intervention reflects the companies’ dedication not only to petroleum and energy services but also to impactful Corporate Social Responsibility that directly responds to urgent national priorities.
Chief Executive Officer of NP (SL) Limited, Dr. Ing. Mohamed S. Kanu, said the company’s intervention was informed by the need to provide sustainable solutions to national challenges. He explained that the absence of a dedicated Burns Unit during the Wellington tragedy underscored the urgency for private sector participation in strengthening healthcare delivery.
Dr. Ing. Mohamed S. Kanu further described the initiative as part of NP’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility framework, which prioritizes practical, high-impact interventions. Over the years, he said, the company has financed several national development projects, including solar-powered boreholes, sanitation facilities, rehabilitation of school infrastructure and recreational facilities for the military, all funded from company profits as part of a deliberate strategy to reinvest in Sierra Leone’s development.
In his keynote address, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio praised NP (SL) Limited, Leonoil Company Limited and all development partners involved in the project, describing the intervention as a major leap forward in the Government’s drive toward a resilient, people-centered healthcare system. He emphasized that the strength of any nation is rooted in the health and well-being of its people, stressing that healthcare must be delivered with dignity, professionalism and equity.
The President reiterated that human capital remains Sierra Leone’s most valuable resource and noted that investments in specialized treatment facilities and modern diagnostic tools are essential to improving national productivity and resilience. He further highlighted ongoing gains in reducing maternal mortality and reaffirmed Government’s commitment to eliminating preventable deaths, particularly among women and children.
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio also underscored the importance of accurate diagnosis in modern medicine, cautioning against presumptive treatment and describing the expansion of CT scan services and other diagnostic tools as critical to improving patient outcomes. He urged health workers and the general public to ensure the proper maintenance and protection of the newly installed equipment so that it continues to serve generations of Sierra Leoneans.
Senior Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Andrew Sorie, described the commissioning as another clear example of the administration’s leadership in leveraging both global and local partnerships to transform healthcare infrastructure.
Medical Superintendent of Connaught Hospital, Dr. I.M. Kapuwa, welcomed President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and commended the support provided by NP (SL) Limited and Leonoil Company Limited, noting that the intervention would significantly improve the hospital’s capacity to manage critical burn and trauma cases.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Musa Kabba said the memory of the Wellington disaster remained a major driving force behind the establishment of the Burns Unit, adding that the new facility reflects Sierra Leone’s shift from reactive emergency care to a more prepared and responsive healthcare delivery model.
Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, described the commissioning as a historic advancement in both diagnostic capability and emergency care services. He stated that the CT scanner, ultrasound equipment and Burns treatment facility will greatly enhance service delivery, improve patient outcomes and strengthen national confidence in public healthcare institutions.
Dr. Austin Demby further hailed the collaboration as a model of effective public-private partnership, crediting NP (SL) Limited and Leonoil Company Limited for demonstrating national responsibility through direct investment in life-saving infrastructure. He added that the Burns Unit will also serve as an important training ground for medical professionals, contributing to long-term capacity building in Sierra Leone’s health sector.
For NP (SL) Limited and Leonoil Company Limited, the project stands as a compelling symbol of how indigenous private sector institutions can complement Government efforts in delivering sustainable national development. Their intervention has not only strengthened Sierra Leone’s emergency healthcare capacity but has also established a powerful example of corporate leadership rooted in patriotism, resilience and social responsibility.
The commissioning of the Burns Unit and advanced diagnostic facilities therefore marks a defining chapter in Sierra Leone’s healthcare reform journey, firmly positioning NP (SL) Limited and Leonoil Company Limited as key partners in saving lives, restoring hope and building a stronger, more responsive healthcare future for the nation.
