In recent years, Sierra Leone has made significant strides in the realm of human capital development, with a particular focus on specialized healthcare sectors such as prosthetics.

Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh in his 27th audio of 8th September 2024, emphasized that under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, the government has emphasized in investing on its people, enabling them to acquire the skills necessary for the country’s advancement. One of the clearest examples of this vision is the transformation of Sierra Leone’s prosthetics landscape, led in part by the Chief Minister, Dr. David Sengeh.

Human Capital Development has been one of President Bio’s core initiatives since he assumed office in 2018.

This policy aims to enhance the skills, capabilities, and well-being of Sierra Leone’s citizens, promoting long-term national growth. Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, with his extensive background in prosthetics and technical expertise, has been instrumental in actualizing this vision, particularly in addressing the needs of people with disabilities, including amputees from the civil war.

The development of prosthetics infrastructure is not just about equipping individuals with artificial limbs but also about empowering them to regain independence and play an active role in society. This transformation is aligned with the President’s broader human capital agenda, which prioritizes education, healthcare, and capacity-building.

Dr. David Sengeh’s involvement in prosthetics dates back to his university years, when he pursued studies in biomechanical engineering and prosthetics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

His passion for prosthetics was ignited during his early visits to the amputee camp at the Aberdeen National Rehabilitation Center in Freetown. This personal engagement with amputees, many of whom had lost limbs during Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war, motivated Dr. Sengeh to pursue a career dedicated to finding technological solutions to help them.

His academic journey culminated in a PhD in prosthetics from MIT, where he developed advanced bionic limbs for individuals with amputations. However, Dr. David Sengeh’s work extended beyond academia he began collaborating with governments, including those of Sierra Leone and Rwanda, to address challenges in providing prosthetic care.

In 2018, shortly before becoming Chief Minister, Dr. Sengeh met with President Bio to discuss the potential for scaling his work on prosthetics in Sierra Leone.

President Bio, recognizing the value of this initiative, included it as part of his broader human capital development agenda. Just months after assuming office, Dr. Sengeh, along with President Bio, visited MIT, where they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at bringing advanced prosthetics expertise to Sierra Leone.

This MOU laid the foundation for Sierra Leone’s prosthetic transformation, focusing on the training of local professionals and the establishment of modern prosthetic centers. During the same period, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and MIT also engaged in discussions with Dr. David Sengeh, leading to an agreement to support the development of a prosthetic center in Rwanda, leveraging Sierra Leone’s experiences.

Before now, the partnership between Sierra Leone and MIT had grown stronger. President Bio and Dr. Sengeh returned to Boston, where they launched a $124 million bionic center aimed at advancing prosthetics in Sierra Leone. This collaboration marked a turning point, moving the country from a reliance on external training to establishing in-country expertise.

“Before the partnership with MIT, Sierra Leone had only one trained prosthetics clinician serving the entire country. Amputees in need of prosthetic limbs often had to travel abroad to places like Tanzania and Ghana for proper care and training. This situation not only delayed treatment but also limited opportunities for Sierra Leoneans to develop their own expertise in this vital field.

However, through the ongoing collaboration with MIT, this narrative has changed.”

Today, Sierra Leone boasts of 12 trained prosthetics professionals, a remarkable improvement over the past. A significant milestone in this initiative is the focus on inclusivity: 40% of the trainees are people living with disabilities. By integrating those directly affected by the lack of prosthetic services into the solution, the initiative has created a powerful model for both rehabilitation and empowerment.

The newly trained professionals are now operating prosthetic centers in key regions, including Bo and Freetown, and a new center is set to open in Kono. This decentralization of services ensures that more Sierra Leoneans can access the care they need without having to travel long distances.

The collaboration with MIT extends beyond training professionals.

As part of the partnership, MIT professors regularly travel to Sierra Leone to offer technical expertise, and the country’s prosthetic centers are continually receiving upgraded equipment and supplies. The renovation of existing centers and the establishment of new ones are part of the broader strategy to create a self-sustaining prosthetics ecosystem in Sierra Leone.

Chief Minister Dr. David Sengeh says, in addition to prosthetics, the collaboration with MIT has expanded to cover bionics -an advanced field that integrates artificial limbs with neurological systems, allowing for greater functionality and control.

This cutting-edge technology is now being explored in Sierra Leone, further showcasing the nation’s commitment to human capital development and technical advancement.

Sierra Leone’s transformation in the field of prosthetics is a testament to the power of investing in people. By equipping citizens with technical skills and creating an environment for their growth, the country has been able to significantly improve the quality of life for its most vulnerable populations. This is the very essence of President Bio’s human capital development agenda.

Chief Minister, Dr. Sengeh’s leadership in this sector exemplifies the impact of having a government deeply committed to harnessing the potential of its people. What started as a personal mission to help amputees has evolved into a national movement that is changing lives. Through strategic partnerships, the nation has successfully built a foundation for sustainable growth, empowering people not only to receive care but to become the providers of that care.

As Sierra Leone continues on this journey, the progress in prosthetics serves as a beacon of hope for other sectors. By focusing on human capital development, the country is setting a strong precedent for long-term social and economic advancement.