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A delegation from Sierra Leone, including academics and government officials, recently visited Queen Mary University of London to explore collaborative efforts in improving the country’s healthcare system.
The Sierra Leonean delegation highlighted the significant progress made in healthcare since 2018, particularly in establishing non-communicable disease (NCD) care nationwide and improving child and maternal health.
However, they also acknowledged a major challenge: high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a significant cause of death in Sierra Leone. This is often linked to high salt consumption.
The delegation’s visit coincided with promising news. Queen Mary’s Centre for Public Health and Policy (CPHP) boasts a successful track record in salt reduction strategies. Their Research and Action on Salt and Obesity Unit played a key role in the UK’s strategy that reduced salt intake and prevented strokes.
Professor Oyinlola Oyebode, from Queen Mary’s Wolfson Institute of Population Health, expressed enthusiasm about extending their expertise to Sierra Leone. They aim to understand salt consumption patterns and develop targeted interventions to reduce it.
This project will be a collaborative effort between Queen Mary University, the University of Sierra Leone, and Njala University.
Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha, Deputy Health Minister of Sierra Leone, emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare system and achieving universal health coverage by 2030.
“Transforming and improving our healthcare system is not an aspiration – it’s a moral and professional obligation,” Dr. Mustapha said. Highlighting the focus on preventive care, she expressed her excitement about the collaboration with Queen Mary.
Professor Sir Mark Caulfield, from Queen Mary’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, echoed the sentiment, welcoming the opportunity to work with Sierra Leone’s health ministry and universities. He called the pilot project on salt and hypertension “an important first step” in preventing premature deaths.
