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Sierra Leonean medical doctor, Sorie Conteh, was honoured with three major awards at the West African College of Physicians during their 49th Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGSM) held in Dakar, Senegal, from October 27 to 29, 2025.
Dr. Conteh, who recently completed his Fellowship training at the WACP, a qualification that officially recognises him as one of Sierra Leone’s only two local Cardiologists, was honoured for his exceptional performance and academic excellence in the field of Cardiology.
He emerged as the recipient of three distinguished awards:
• The A.C. Ikeme Prize for the Best Fellowship Candidate in the Cardiology Subspecialty.
• The Theophilus Oladipo Ogunlesi Prize for the Best Dissertation in Cardiology, Faculty of Internal Medicine.
• The Austin Obasohan Prize for the Best Candidate in the Fellowship Examinations of the Cardiology Subspecialty.
According to the official citation, the A.C. Ikeme Prize was conferred upon Dr Conteh for “passing at the first attempt within a total of not more than seven years in the residency training programme,” while the Austin Obasohan citation commended his “outstanding performance in the Cardiology Sub-Specialty examinations.”
Dr. Conteh’s remarkable journey in medicine began when he earned his MBCHB degree in 2008. After four years of practice, he pursued a Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine at the University of Nairobi, completing his training at Kenyatta National Hospital in Kenya. Upon his return to Sierra Leone in 2015, he served as a Physician Specialist and Lecturer at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) for five years.
Inspired by the mentorship of Professor James B.W. Russell, Sierra Leone’s first cardiologist Dr Conteh embarked on his cardiology fellowship training with the West African College of Physicians in 2021 and successfully completed it in 2024. He underwent a rigorous three-year subspecialty training programme, beginning in Freetown and continuing at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, one of West Africa’s leading cardiovascular centres. He later sat for his final fellowship examinations at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria in October 2024.
“The bulk of my subspecialty training was done in Ghana, which serves as a centre of excellence for cardiovascular training in West Africa,” Dr. Conteh explained. “The recognition is indeed for outstanding performance in the fellowship examination, as stated in the letters of award.”
He added that such awards are not given routinely but are based on strict benchmarks that can remain unawarded for years until candidates meet the required standards. “With this qualification, my designation is now Consultant Physician and Cardiologist. I am back as the second cardiologist for a population of over eight million, and you can tell that the work is already cut out for me,” he said with a smile.
Dr Conteh joins Professor James B.W. Russell, his mentor, as Sierra Leone’s second home-grown cardiologist a monumental milestone for the country’s healthcare system. Several other Sierra Leonean physicians specialising in different disciplines also completed their fellowship training at the 2025 WACP ceremony.
Founded in 1976, the West African College of Physicians continues to play a pivotal role in advancing medical education, training, and research across the sub-region. The College’s recognition of Dr Conteh underscores Sierra Leone’s growing contribution to the advancement of specialized medical care in West Africa.
His triple recognition not only marks a personal achievement but also represents a national triumph reflecting the resilience, talent, and growing capacity of Sierra Leone’s medical professionals to compete and excel on the continental stage.
