WACS Assesses Connaught Hospital for Postgraduate Surgical Training Accreditation
Aminata Koroma The West African College of Surgeons (WACS) has conducted an accreditation assessment of the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex (USLTHC), particularly Connaught Hospital, to determine its readiness to offer postgraduate fellowship training in four surgical specialities.
The assessment team, led by Professor Venyir Ramyil and comprising three other specialists from across the West African sub-region, was received by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Mohamed Mustapha Kabba, at the Ministry of Health Headquarters in Freetown.
The mission focused on assessing the hospital’s capacity to provide fellowship training in General Surgery, Urology, Plastic Surgery and Paediatric Surgery.
During the assessment, the team toured hospital facilities management and relevant clinical teams to evaluate infrastructure, medical equipment, staffing and the overall institutional capacity required to support specialist surgical training.
The team was accompanied by the Chairman of the USLTHC, Professor Fadlu Deen; Chief Medical Director, Professor Oluwaly; Head of the Department of Surgery, Dr Aiah Lebbie; Director of Laboratory, Blood and Diagnostic Services, Dr Donald Grant; and Chairman of the Postgraduate College and Head of the Department of Haematology, Professor Gavao.
Following the assessment, the WACS team acknowledged significant improvements at Connaught Hospital, particularly in infrastructure, medical equipment, the construction of new units and the expansion of clinical services.
However, the team identified several areas requiring further improvement, including emergency laboratory services, staffing, specialised surgical equipment, hospital space and access to essential emergency supplies. Addressing these gaps, the team noted, would be critical to ensuring that the hospital meets the required standards for postgraduate specialist surgical training.
Responding to the findings, Dr. Kabba appreciated the assessment team for its engagement and reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to addressing the recommendations.
“We acknowledge the gaps identified by the assessment team and remain committed to working with the management of Connaught Hospital to address these recommendations. Our priority is to ensure that our teaching hospitals meet the required standards to deliver quality specialist training,” he said.
Dr. Kabba also highlighted the Government’s continued investment in postgraduate medical education, disclosing that approximately 180 to 200 doctors are currently enrolled in residency programmes across various specialties.
He said the Government’s ambition goes beyond increasing the number of specialists to establishing a sustainable system that facilitates the transfer of knowledge, skills and expertise to the next generation of Sierra Leonean healthcare professionals. He further emphasised the importance of strong regional partnerships in achieving this goal.
The CMO assured the assessment team that the Ministry would work closely with Connaught Hospital management to address the identified gaps, implement the recommendations and sustain progress in specialist medical training.
He also expressed appreciation to WACS for its continued partnership and support.
The assessment marks an important step towards expanding local postgraduate surgical training opportunities, strengthening Sierra Leone’s specialist medical workforce and improving access to quality surgical services across the country.