About the Department

The Department of Psychiatry provides comprehensive mental health services, education, and research within the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex. Our team of consultants, registrars, nurses, and allied health professionals work together to deliver high-quality care in clinical psychiatry, psychotherapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation, and community mental health.

The department is also accredited by the West African College of Physicians for residency training, positioning it as a center of excellence for psychiatric education and research in the region.

Head of Department

Dr. George Okechukwu Eze

Consultant Psychiatrist | Fellow, West African College of Physicians (FWACP)

Dr. George O. Eze is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Fellow of the West African College of Physicians. He currently serves as Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Eze worked at the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City, Nigeria, where he rose to the position of Acting Chief Medical Director. He has also served as Commissioner for Health, Enugu State, Nigeria, and held adjunct senior lecturer roles at Delta State University (Abraka), Enugu State University of Science and Technology, and the University of Benin. He is actively involved in training, clinical service, and research, and is married with children.

Our Services

We provide a broad range of mental health services, including:

• Clinical Psychiatry

• Psychotherapy

• Occupational Therapy

• Rehabilitation Services

• Laboratory & Pharmacy Services

• Drug Abuse & Detoxification Programs

• Psychiatric Emergency Care

• Undergraduate and Postgraduate Training in Psychiatry

Units within the Department

1. Clinical Services Unit

• Outpatient consultations and specialist care

• Ward/teaching rounds and case presentations

• Journal club and didactic lectures

• Emergency services and on-call duties

Consultants:

• Dr. George O. Eze

• Dr. Francis Nnaji

• Dr. Edward A. Nahim

Trainees: Registrars including Dr. Jusu Mattia, Dr. Kelfa K. Kpallu, Dr. Haja Kamara, among others.

2. Nursing Department

Provides 24-hour patient care, medication administration, hygiene support, ward rounds, psychotherapy assistance, and in-service training for staff.

Lead Staff:

• Matron Keikura A. Braimah and over 60 nurses, SRNs, SECHNs, and aides.

3. Nutrition Unit

Responsible for patient meal planning, dietary counseling, preparation, and nutritional record-keeping.

Team: Nutritionists, caterers, cooks, and stewardesses.

4. Occupational Therapy Unit

Offers group and individual therapy sessions including:

• Physical and vocational therapy

• Music therapy

• Indoor and outdoor recreational activities

• Counseling and life skills training

5. Psychosocial Support Unit

Focuses on psycho-education, patient and family counseling, multidisciplinary rounds, referrals, and family reunification.

6. Pharmacy Unit

• Dispensing medications to inpatients and outpatients

• Monitoring stock, expiry dates, and adverse drug reactions

• Monthly reporting on drug usage

7. Clinical Psychology Unit

• Individual and group psychotherapy

• Research and academic teaching

• Family and child mental health interventions

8. Child & Adolescent Mental Health Unit

Dedicated to children and adolescents through:

• Outpatient clinics

• School awareness campaigns

• Home visits

• Skills and parent support sessions

9. Human Resource Unit

Handles staff welfare, attendance monitoring, recruitment recommendations, and disciplinary processes.

Achievements

• Full five-year accreditation from the West African College of Physicians for residency training

• Seven successful candidates at the College’s Primary Examination

• Strong collaboration with Partners in Health to support residency training and rehabilitation programs

• Training of EEG technical staff now providing specialized diagnostic services

• Ongoing research projects at various stages

Challenges

• Shortage of specialized manpower

• Inadequate drug supply

• Limited logistics (transport and funding)

• Environmental concerns, including illicit drug activities and noise pollution

Regular Activities

• General Staff Meeting – monthly

• Management Meetings – twice monthly

• Child & Adolescent Mental Health Outreach – monthly

• Weekly Clinical & Teaching Rounds across all units

Partners

The Department works in close partnership with Partners in Health and other stakeholders to strengthen mental health care delivery, training, and infrastructure development.

Department of Psychiatry – Staff Directory

Consultants & Specialists

Name	Designation	Unit	Qualification
Dr. George O. Eze	Consultant Psychiatrist, Head of Department	Clinical	FWACP (Psych)
Dr. Francis Nnaji	Consultant Psychiatrist	Clinical	FMC (Psych) Nig.
Dr. Edward A. Nahim	Consultant Psychiatrist	Clinical	FWACP (Psych)
Prof. Caroline Edekie Ofovwe	Consultant, Clinical Psychology	Clinical Psychology	PhD Psychology
Dr. Abdul Jalloh	Specialist Psychiatrist	Clinical	MSc Psych, PGDip (MHPS)

Registrars & Trainees

Name	Designation	Unit	Qualification
Dr. Jusu Mattia	Registrar	Clinical	MBChB
Dr. Kelfa K. Kpallu	Registrar	Clinical	MBChB
Dr. Haja A. Kamara	Registrar	Clinical	MBChB
Dr. Adedotun A.A. Adeyemi	Registrar	Clinical	MBChB
Dr. Kinie Goba	Registrar	Clinical	MBChB
Dr. Sao Fatorma	Registrar	Clinical	MBChB
Dr. Elizabeth Alieu	Registrar	Clinical / Child & Adolescent	MBChB, MCAMH

Nursing Department

Leadership

Name	Designation	Unit	Qualification
Keikura A. Braimah	Matron	Nursing/Clinical	BSc Nursing

Senior Registered Nurses (SRN)

Name	Designation	Unit	Qualification
Mabinty S. Koroma	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SRN
Samuel K. Amadu	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SRN
Matthew Kambeh	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SRN
Mustapha Sheku	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SRN
Isata Kamara	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SRN
Bintu E. Nicol	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SRN
Issa Kargbo	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SRN
Francis Fockoh	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SRN
Racheal Kamara	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SRN
Haja Zainab Jalloh	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SRN
Kadiatu Abibatu Kamara	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SRN

State Enrolled Community Health Nurses (SECHN)

Name	Designation	Unit	Qualification
Isha Bangura	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SECHN
Miatta Bhonapha	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SECHN
Isatu Pessima	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SECHN
Fatmata Y. Koroma	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SECHN
Adama Tarawally	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SECHN
Gloria C. Kpaka	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SECHN
Mary D. Yamba	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SECHN
Alimatu Massaquoi	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SECHN
Victoria Hall	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SECHN
Clara Pratt	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	SECHN

Other Nursing Roles

Name	Designation	Unit	Qualification
Ini Imah	Nursing Officer	Nursing/Clinical	BSc Nursing
Emma Koroma	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	Nursing Aide
Juliana Showers	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	MHA
Fatmata Kamara	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	MHA
Mamidie Kamara	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	MHA
Sahr Conteh	Nurse	Nursing/Clinical	MHA

Allied Health Professionals

Name	Designation	Unit	Qualification
Musa Mansaray	Occupational Therapist	Occupational Therapy	—
Andrew Yarimeh Mansaray	Psychosocial Support Officer	Psychosocial Unit	—
Angella Kaikai	Pharmacist (In-Charge)	Pharmacy	BPharm
Sulaiman Kamara	Pharmacist	Pharmacy	BPharm
Prof. Caroline Ofovwe	Clinical Psychologist	Clinical Psychology	PhD

Support Staff (Nutrition & Others)

Name	Designation	Unit	Qualification
Jeneba Kaindaneh	Nutritionist	Nutrition Unit	BSc Nutrition
Yeatee J. French	Caterer	Nutrition Unit	—
Zainab C. Thomsa	Caterer	Nutrition Unit	—