Overview
The Department of Community Health is a newly established academic and professional department dedicated to strengthening population health through training, research, and service. The department focuses on preventive medicine, primary health care, health systems strengthening, environmental health, and evidence-based public health practice, aligned with national and regional health priorities.
Head of Department
Alhaji Dr. Momodu Sesay
MD, MPH, DTCM&H, FWACP, FCS, FAIPH
Consultant, Community Health
Dr. Momodu Sesay is a senior Public Health Consultant with over 30 years of experience in
community health, environmental health and sanitation, HIV and AIDS programming, and health
systems strengthening. He has served in several senior leadership roles including Director
General . He currently provides strategic academic and administrative
leadership to the department.
Vision
To be a centre of excellence in community health education, research, and service delivery that contributes significantly to improved population health outcomes in Sierra Leone and the West African sub-region.
Mission
To produce highly trained and competent community health consultants who will support and strengthen the national health care delivery system through leadership, research, policy development, and community-based interventions.
Core Functions and Services
- Residency training in Community Health for medical doctors
- Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
- Public health and health systems research
- Policy analysis and advisory services
- Community-based health interventions
- Capacity building for health professionals
- Technical support to government and development partners
Academic and Professional Staff
- Alhaji Dr. Momodu Sesay – Head of Department (Environmental Health / Primary Health Care)
- Dr. Santigie Sesay – Training Coordinator (Sexual and Reproductive Health)
- Dr. Alhassan Seisay – Consultant (Infectious Diseases: TB & Leprosy)
- Dr. Sarian Kamara – Consultant (Sexual and Reproductive Health)
- Dr. Samuel A. Kargbo – Consultant (Global Health, Health Policy & Planning)
- Dr. Thomas T. Samba – Consultant (Health Policy, Planning & Management)
Departmental Units
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Environmental and Occupational Health
- Health Policy, Planning and Management
- Sexual and Reproductive Health
- International Health
- Rehabilitative Medicine
- Primary Health Care
Achievements
- Successful accreditation by the West African College of Physicians (Faculty of Community Health)
- Establishment of approved rotational training sites for residency programmes
- Contribution to national public health policies, surveillance systems, and capacity building initiatives
Challenges
- Limited office and faculty space at Connaught Hospital
- Low enrolment of doctors into community health residency programmes
- Lack of dedicated vehicles for supervision of residents during field postings
Future Direction
The department aims to expand its training and research capacity,strengthen research output, improve infrastructure,and deepen strategic partnerships to enhance its contribution to national and regional public health development.
