By sulaiman.sesay@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – Sierra Leone is grappling with a severe shortage of surgeons, with only 30 qualified practitioners to meet the country’s surgical demands, according to Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Clinical Dr. Mustapha Kabba. The urgent need for more surgeons is underscored by the revelation that Sierra Leone requires at least 100 qualified surgeons, leaving an alarming gap of 80%.
Dr. Kabba highlighted the challenges, stating, “We have two neurologists, six to eight gynaecologists, one paediatric surgeon, three orthopaedic surgeons, and two plastic surgeons in the country right now.” The increasing population further exacerbates the demand for surgeons, prompting the need for enhanced training programs to retain skilled professionals within the country.
President of the West African College of Surgeons (WACS), Ezeome Emmanuel, attributed a 60% drop in new surgical residency intake in the sub-region to the brain drain crisis. Surgeons are migrating out of the region, with Sierra Leone experiencing a 91% unmet surgery rate. Issues such as remuneration, lack of local training possibilities, and post-COVID-19 migration trends contribute to the alarming shortage.
Dr. Kabba acknowledged the challenges but stressed the importance of empowering local post-graduate training programs to encourage surgeons to stay and serve the community. Although remuneration remains an issue, efforts are underway to ensure the best possible training and retention of surgeons within the country.
Addressing the brain drain, Dr. Kabba emphasized that encouraging surgeons to return is challenging but critical to filling the existing gap and preventing high casualties, especially in government facilities with a higher patient influx than private hospitals.
Professor Emmanuel disclosed that only 26% of district hospitals in the African Region have access to blood supply within two hours, exacerbating the healthcare challenges. Collaborative efforts with the West African region are essential, and the WACS aims to consolidate training in existing countries while expanding opportunities in areas lacking such facilities.
Recognizing the untapped potential of female professionals, Professor Emmanuel called for affirmative action to harness their capabilities and address the pressing shortage of skilled surgeons in Sierra Leone and the broader West African region. SKS/12/3/2024