By Foday Moriba Conteh
During a well-attended ceremony held on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) Kosso Town campus, the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, alongside Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara and Deputy Vice Chancellor of COMAHS, Professor Mohamed Samai, officially broke ground for the construction of the new $3.5 million Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences Building.
In his address, Dr. Austin Demby emphasized the urgent need for more medical professionals in Sierra Leone. “We need 5,000 doctors to serve a population of eight million, yet we currently have only 500,” he noted. “If we continue producing just 50 doctors annually, it would take 100 years to meet our goal. Therefore, we must significantly increase our output of well-trained doctors.”
He praised the progress made by COMAHS in increasing student enrollment. “I challenged the faculty to increase the number of medical students from 50 to 200. Today, I am thrilled to announce that we have 600 students on track to become doctors,” Dr. Demby stated. “This remarkable growth is a testament to the dedication of our educators and the commitment of our students.”
The Minister highlighted the importance of not only training more doctors but also providing them with the necessary infrastructure to practice effectively. He outlined several ongoing and upcoming projects aimed at improving healthcare facilities across the country. These include the soon-to-open Lumley Children’s Hospital, a state-of-the-art 166-bed facility with advanced medical equipment and two surgical theaters.
He also informed the gathering about plans to establish an ultra-modern medical campus between Bo and Kenema. This facility will include a 300-bed hospital and extended medical, nursing and midwifery schools. Additionally, a new $50 million state-of-the-art hospital will soon break ground in Kerrytown and a modern 166-bed hospital is being constructed in Kono to enhance healthcare services in the region.
Dr. Demby acknowledged the invaluable support from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and the National Council for Technical and Vocational Awards (NCTVA) in recognizing and accrediting the new medical programs. He shared a motivational message with the students of COMAHS, urging them to seize the opportunities provided by these new facilities. “You are the future of healthcare in Sierra Leone,” he said. “With the skills and knowledge, you acquire here, combined with the state-of-the-art infrastructure we are building, you will be well-equipped to transform the healthcare landscape of our nation.”
The highlight of the event was the announcement of a $3.5 million donation from a benefactor, which will fund the construction of the new Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences building. This facility will feature cutting-edge technology, enabling students to participate in lectures from renowned universities worldwide via an electronic platform.
Dr. Demby concluded his speech with a promise to support the students every step of the way. “We are committed to providing you with the tools and resources necessary to achieve greatness. Study hard, and together, we will build a healthier Sierra Leone.”
Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara, reflected on the long journey since the vision for a medical school was conceived 36 years ago in 1988. “Today, we are sowing the seeds of development once again,” he remarked. “This $3.5 million investment is a significant achievement and we must be grateful and proud of this milestone.”
He highlighted the importance of collaboration and the ambitious vision set forth by the Government. “We have been challenged by His Excellency Julius Maada Bio to advance the agenda of human capital development under the Big Five game changers,” he said. “Achieving this requires collective effort and securing this funding is a major win for us all.”
Aziz-Kamara acknowledged the pressing need for more medical professionals in Sierra Leone, noting that producing 5,000 doctors annually is essential for meeting the country’s healthcare needs. “The health sector is pivotal to human capital development. Investing in education without ensuring the health of our population would be a missed opportunity,” he stated.
In his remarks, Professor Mohamed Samai, Deputy Vice Chancellor of COMAHS, reflected on the significant progress since the initial vision for a medical school was conceived. “Today, we are sowing the seeds of development once again,” he said. “This $3.5 million investment is a significant achievement, and we must be grateful and proud of this milestone.”
Professor Samai recounted a pivotal meeting with Health Minister, Dr. Austin Demby, where they discussed the critical need for more medical professionals. “On average, we are producing about 50 medical doctors a year. For a nation that needs 5,000 doctors to provide 24/7 services, this is insufficient,” he explained. “At our current rate, it would take 100 years to meet this target.”
The Deputy Vice Chancellor emphasized the importance of infrastructure and resources to increase the number of medical graduates. “It’s crucial to dream big, but we must ensure that the basic building blocks for development are in place,” he noted. “We need adequate infrastructure and a sufficient number of trainers to produce well-qualified doctors.”
Professor Samai praised the efforts of Dr. Demby in securing donor support for the college. “The Health Minister has worked tirelessly to bring in donors to assist COMAHS,” he said. “Our students, who are among the top in the country, were able to articulate their needs to these donors effectively.”
The identified needs included new lecture blocks and dormitories to accommodate the growing number of students. “We need more hostels to house students on campus, which will facilitate their education,” he stated. “I’m pleased that we are about to witness the commencement of these crucial infrastructure projects.”
In conclusion, Professor Samai expressed deep gratitude to the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby and all involved in making this project a reality. “This is a dream come true,” he said. “Let’s give a big round of applause to the Minister of Health for his unwavering support.”
The ceremony ended with the official turning of the sod, symbolizing the start of construction for the new Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences building, which promises to significantly enhance the educational landscape for future medical professionals in Sierra Leone.
