By: Ibrahim S. Bangura
Marie Stopes Sierra Leone (MSSL) has officially unveiled the Lamina Sankoh Centre, a modern healthcare facility designed to expand access to quality and integrated healthcare services across Sierra Leone.
The Centre was officially inaugurated on Thursday, June 25, 2026, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Health I, Prof. Dr. Charles Senessie, alongside government officials, development partners, healthcare professionals, and community representatives. The facility represents a significant investment in strengthening healthcare delivery and improving access to essential health services in the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Country Director of Marie Stopes Sierra Leone, Mohamed Kabba, said the Centre was established to increase access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare while providing a wide range of integrated clinical services.
Kabba disclosed that approximately US$250,000 was invested in the construction and equipping of the facility.
“We want to ensure that we provide quality healthcare services to the nation and save lives,” he said.
He explained that the Centre brings together a comprehensive range of healthcare services under one roof, including family planning, maternal and reproductive health services, cervical cancer screening, breast health services, laboratory diagnostics, pharmacy services, ultrasound scanning, general medical consultations, and health insurance support.
According to Kabba, the facility comprises more than 14 consultation and treatment rooms and is staffed by over 14 qualified healthcare professionals committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.
He further noted that the Centre is equipped with modern medical equipment to improve diagnosis, enhance treatment outcomes, and provide efficient healthcare services.
“The opening of the Lamina Sankoh Centre comes at a time when access to quality healthcare remains a national priority. By integrating essential health services within a single facility, the Centre will improve access to care, reduce barriers to healthcare, and provide a more convenient and patient-centred experience for women, young people, and families,” Kabba said.
Describing the new facility as a reflection of the organization’s long-term commitment to improving healthcare, he added:
“This Centre is proof that the people of Sierra Leone deserve world-class healthcare, and we will not stop building until every woman, every girl, and every family can access it.”
Delivering his remarks, the Deputy Minister of Health I, Prof. Dr. Charles Senessie, commended Marie Stopes Sierra Leone for its continued contribution to strengthening the country’s healthcare system. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between government and development partners in achieving universal health coverage.
“Through your work, we continue to see fewer unintended pregnancies and greater access to youth-friendly health services. Marie Stopes Sierra Leone’s work complements the Ministry of Health’s efforts,” he said.
The National Director of the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (SLANGO), Alice Nenneh James, also praised Marie Stopes Sierra Leone for its sustained contribution to improving healthcare delivery nationwide.
She said the establishment of the Lamina Sankoh Centre demonstrates the organization’s unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of women, girls, and families across Sierra Leone.
James further stressed that strong partnerships among civil society organizations, government institutions, and development partners remain essential to strengthening the country’s healthcare system and ensuring that quality healthcare services are accessible to all citizens.
Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, Salimatu Kargbo, a mother who has benefited from Marie Stopes services, welcomed the opening of the Centre, describing it as a major relief for women and families in the community.
“As mothers, we often face challenges accessing quality healthcare services. This new Centre gives us hope because we can now receive treatment and medical advice in one place. I believe it will help save lives, especially those of women and children,” she said.
Kargbo encouraged community members to make full use of the facility and urged women to seek regular healthcare services to safeguard their own health and that of their families.
The establishment of the Lamina Sankoh Centre marks another milestone in Marie Stopes Sierra Leone’s efforts to improve access to affordable, high-quality healthcare and strengthen the country’s healthcare system through integrated and patient-focused service delivery.