The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) Hospital Management, in collaboration with Codix Health Care Sierra Leone, commenced a comprehensive diabetes testing program for police officers at Police Headquarters on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.

The initiative, approved by the Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, aims to assess the health status of personnel across the force to enhance service delivery.

In his pre-test address, Dr. John Mumuneh Konteh, the Medical Superintendent and Deputy Director of Medical Services at the SLP, highlighted the increasing prevalence of diabetes in the country, dispelling the notion that it solely affects affluent individuals. He emphasized the role of Endocrinologists in understanding diabetes, noting the presence of one within the SLP, himself.

Dr. Konteh explained that diabetes is a polygenic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, underscoring the importance of the testing exercise in improving personnel’s medical conditions. He outlined plans to provide further medication to individuals with high glucose levels to manage their blood sugar effectively.

The Medical Superintendent disclosed plans to extend the testing program to all six police administrative regions to benefit additional personnel.

Adding to the discourse, ACP Musa James, the Director of Human Resource Management, encouraged all personnel to participate in the testing, viewing it as an opportunity for individuals to become aware of their health status.