Haja Ramatulai Wurie has called for stronger global partnerships to improve Sierra Leone’s health and education sectors, as stakeholders launched the first implementation phase of a national radiology capacity initiative.
The meeting was held in Freetown and brought together key institutions including the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Ministry of Health, RAD-AID, and the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences.
Speaking at the session, Dr Wurie said the government has, in recent years, focused on building international collaborations to address gaps in specialised medical training and healthcare delivery. She stressed that partnerships remain key to strengthening both higher education and the health system.
The collaboration began during an official visit by Julius Maada Bio to the University of Pennsylvania, which later developed into a formal partnership aimed at improving radiology services in Sierra Leone.
The meeting marked the first step in implementing the agreement, bringing partners together to ensure practical results. A major outcome is the launch of the National Radiography Workforce Pipeline Initiative.
Officials say the initiative will assess current training and certification systems, identify gaps in the sector, and develop a national roadmap to guide the training of radiography professionals. It will also create a baseline for building a strong and sustainable workforce in the long term.
Stakeholders described the project as an important move towards improving specialised medical services and strengthening healthcare delivery across the country.
The meeting ended with partners committing to continue working together to deliver results and support Sierra Leone’s long-term health and education goals.
Source: ©️ Dr. Tonya Musa
Director of Communication and International Relations University of Sierra Leone
