By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) Hospital has taken another step forward in its contribution to healthcare and medical education with the formal welcoming of 40 nursing students from Njala University for their internship training. This year’s intake is the largest number of Njala nursing students ever accepted by the hospital, marking a significant milestone in its partnership with the university.
For years, Njala University has consistently sent nursing students to the SLP Hospital as part of their professional training programme. However, the arrival of 40 interns this year underlines the hospital’s growing reputation as a credible training ground for aspiring health professionals.
Speaking during the ceremony, Deputy Medical Director and Medical Superintendent of the hospital, John Konteh, described the development as a reflection of the progress the institution has made in recent years. He commended the leadership of the Inspector General (IG) of Police, William Fayia Sellu, whose vision, he said, has transformed the hospital into a more advanced and reliable facility.
Dr. Konteh highlighted several achievements under the IG’s leadership, noting particularly the establishment of a fully functional eye clinic that now provides specialized services to both police personnel and the wider public. He stressed that such progress has made the SLP Hospital a trusted place not only for treatment but also for medical training.
In his keynote address, IG Fayia Sellu welcomed the Njala nursing students and urged them to embrace discipline, professionalism, and dedication throughout their training period. He reminded them that their behavior and work ethic will reflect not only on themselves but also on Njala University and the patients they serve.
“Your presence here is part of our commitment to supporting the future of Sierra Leone’s health sector,” the IG said. “We expect you to learn with humility, work with discipline, and demonstrate compassion in caring for patients. This is what will make you successful health professionals and responsible citizens.”
IG Sellu also credited President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership for prioritizing the strengthening of Sierra Leone’s healthcare system. He emphasized that the hospital’s progress has been made possible because of the President’s broader investment in improving healthcare infrastructure and services nationwide.
The Inspector General went further to announce that the SLP Hospital’s improved capacity has already begun to attract international collaboration. He disclosed that the “Surgeons in Action Foundation” from Spain will soon visit Sierra Leone to provide free surgical services at the hospital. This, he said, is a direct result of the hospital’s growing credibility and readiness to partner with international health organizations.
The announcement was greeted with enthusiasm, as it demonstrates the hospital’s ability not only to serve local communities but also to connect with global partners in delivering healthcare solutions.
The presence of the nursing students is expected to further enhance the hospital’s role as a training ground for the next generation of healthcare workers. For the students, the internship offers an opportunity to gain practical knowledge, sharpen their skills, and learn in an environment that blends medical service with discipline and accountability.
The SLP Hospital, once viewed primarily as a facility serving police personnel, has in recent years expanded its role to serve the wider public while also developing into a recognized centre for professional training. The welcoming of 40 Njala University nursing students is therefore seen as both a milestone and a continuation of its mission to contribute to national healthcare development.
As the students begin their training, stakeholders expressed confidence that the collaboration would not only strengthen the hospital’s impact but also equip the young nurses with the tools they need to become competent professionals in Sierra Leone’s evolving health sector.
