By: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Italian Association for Solidarity Among Peoples (AISPO), has welcomed home five medical doctors and one nurse who have successfully completed advanced training in hematology in Italy.
The specialized training forms part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Sierra Leone’s healthcare system by building local expertise in critical medical fields and improving the quality of specialized health services.
Hematology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases related to blood and blood-forming organs. According to the Ministry of Health, the returning team will play a key role in strengthening blood transfusion and laboratory services across the country, with particular emphasis on improving maternal healthcare.
Speaking on the development, the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Austin Demby, said the training reflects the Government’s commitment to investing in the professional development of Sierra Leonean health workers and expanding the country’s capacity to provide specialized medical care.
He noted that strengthening local expertise will enable more patients to access quality healthcare services within Sierra Leone, reducing the need for costly referrals and medical treatment abroad.
The six health professionals received intensive training in advanced laboratory diagnostics, blood transfusion services, and the diagnosis and management of hematological disorders. Ministry officials said the knowledge and practical skills acquired will contribute significantly to improving laboratory capacity and enhancing the safety, availability, and quality of blood services nationwide.
The Ministry emphasized that strengthening hematology services is particularly important for maternal healthcare, as access to safe blood and reliable laboratory support is essential in managing pregnancy-related complications such as severe anemia and postpartum hemorrhage, which remain major causes of maternal mortality.
Officials expressed confidence that the deployment of the newly trained professionals will help improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes while strengthening emergency medical care across health facilities.
AISPO has continued to support the Ministry of Health through technical assistance, professional training, equipment, and institutional capacity-building aimed at strengthening Sierra Leone’s healthcare system.
The partnership focuses on developing specialized medical services that are critical to improving patient care and building a resilient health sector.
The Ministry further stated that the return of the six health professionals aligns with its broader Human Resources for Health strategy, which seeks to increase the number of medical specialists and improve access to quality healthcare services throughout the country.
The newly trained doctors and nurse are expected to be deployed to support blood transfusion and laboratory services in hospitals and other health facilities across Sierra Leone.
Government and its development partners reaffirmed that continued investment in specialized medical training, including hematology, remains essential to strengthening the national health system, improving service delivery, and achieving better health outcomes for all Sierra Leoneans.