By Hassan Solokoh Bockarie
In a landmark move aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and expanding practical training opportunities for future health professionals, the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), University of Sierra Leone, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sierra Leone Police Medical Services Department.
The agreement was formally signed on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Executive Management Board (EMB) Headquarters of the Sierra Leone Police in Kingtom, Freetown. The ceremony brought together senior officials from both institutions, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership focused on enhancing clinical education and healthcare services.
Under the terms of the MoU, the Sierra Leone Police Hospital and Medical Services Department will serve as a clinical training site for students pursuing studies in Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Public Health, and other allied health disciplines at COMAHS.
Leading the COMAHS delegation was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, accompanied by senior academic staff, while the Sierra Leone Police delegation included members of its Executive Management Board, the highest decision-making body within the institution.
The collaboration is expected to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world medical practice by providing students with hands-on clinical experience. Through structured clinical placements, students will gain practical skills in patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and evidence-based decision-making, thereby enhancing their professional competence and readiness for independent practice.
The COMAHS team was received by Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Jalloh, Director of Medical Services at the Sierra Leone Police Hospital. Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Inspector General of Police Sahr Yomba Senesie, Assistant Inspector General of Police Sylvester Koroma, and other senior police officials.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, who was unable to attend, Deputy Inspector General Sahr Yomba Senesie described the agreement as a mutually beneficial partnership that would create lasting value for both institutions and the nation at large.
He reaffirmed the Sierra Leone Police’s commitment to implementing the provisions of the MoU and emphasized that the agreement represents more than a ceremonial document.
“This partnership is a foundation for sustained collaboration and progress,” he said. “As we transition from Force to Service, one area we need to step up is the medical department.”
Mr. Senesie noted that strengthening healthcare services within the Police institution remains a key priority and that collaboration with COMAHS would contribute significantly to achieving that objective.
Before the signing, Professor James Russell requested that the document be read aloud to ensure that all stakeholders fully understood its provisions. The request was granted, and Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Jalloh read the agreement before both parties appended their signatures.
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone described the partnership as a significant milestone in the country’s healthcare and educational sectors. He stated that the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to improving healthcare delivery, advancing clinical training, promoting research, and enhancing national service.
He expressed gratitude to the Sierra Leone Police Medical Services Department for opening its doors to students and pledged that the opportunity would be utilized to deepen knowledge, strengthen practical skills, and cultivate professionalism among future healthcare practitioners.
The signing of the MoU is widely seen as a major step toward improving the quality of healthcare services while creating additional avenues for experiential learning. Stakeholders believe the partnership will contribute significantly to producing a highly skilled health workforce capable of meeting Sierra Leone’s growing healthcare needs.
As both institutions embark on this new chapter of collaboration, the agreement stands as a testament to the power of partnerships in advancing education, healthcare, and national development.
