The University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex (USLTHC) and the Sierra Leone Health Service Commission (SLHSC) have reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery in Sierra Leone through enhanced collaboration and institutional partnership.
A high-level strategic meeting was convened at the USLTHC headquarters, bringing together leadership from both organisations to discuss practical approaches for improving hospital governance, medical workforce management, and national health system efficiency.
Leadership Engagement and Strategic Dialogue
The meeting was chaired by Dr Sonia Spencer, Chairperson of the USLTHC Board of Administration, alongside Prof. K. S. Oluwadiya, Acting Chief Medical Director of USLTHC. Representing the SLHSC were Secretary Esther Sorvula, Director Shiaka A. Kowa, and two senior officials from the Commission.
Discussions centred on strengthening coordination between the Teaching Hospitals Board of Administration and the various Hospital Boards, with a focus on deepening SLHSC’s understanding of the legal mandates, operational frameworks, and governance structures that guide USLTHC’s activities.
Showcasing USLTHC’s Impact and Achievements
During the meeting, USLTHC presented a comprehensive overview of its core functions and strategic achievements in the areas of:
- Medical training and human resource development,
- Clinical service delivery and patient care, and
- Health research and innovation.
These accomplishments underscore USLTHC’s role as Sierra Leone’s leading tertiary healthcare institution, serving as a model of medical excellence, training future specialists, and advancing evidence-based healthcare practices across the nation.
Commitment to Shared Learning and System Strengthening
In their remarks, SLHSC officials commended the progress and institutional maturity demonstrated by USLTHC. The Commission expressed its interest in adopting best practices from USLTHC’s governance and administrative frameworks to improve accountability, transparency, and service delivery within public hospitals nationwide.
Despite acknowledged challenges in human resource distribution, infrastructure, and policy alignment, both parties emphasised the importance of shared learning, regular dialogue, and cooperative planning as key drivers for sustainable healthcare transformation.
A Unified Vision for National Health Improvement
The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to strengthen collaboration between the two institutions. This partnership will focus on:
- Enhancing healthcare policy implementation,
- Improving hospital management systems,
- Promoting staff development and retention, and
- Ensuring quality, accessible healthcare for all Sierra Leoneans.
Both USLTHC and SLHSC reaffirmed their commitment to a unified vision for healthcare advancement, recognising that inter-institutional synergy is essential for achieving the country’s broader health and development goals.
About USLTHC
The University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex (USLTHC) is the premier network of teaching hospitals in Sierra Leone, dedicated to medical education, clinical service delivery, and health research. Through its multidisciplinary approach and academic partnerships, USLTHC continues to play a pivotal role in building the nation’s health workforce and improving the quality of healthcare services.