As part of efforts to cater for the welfare needs of Police personnel, their dependants and even the wider community, the Inspector General of Police – Mr. William Fayia Sellu on Monday 29th April, 2024, received an eight-man team of Spanish doctors from Surgeons in Action Foundation. This Foundation is based in Spain and they are in Sierra Leone at the behest of the SLP, to undertake free surgical operations on one hundred and forty (140) already registered patients with the Sierra Leone Police Hospital at Kingtom.
Introducing the team, Doctor John Mumuneh Konteh who doubles as the SLP’s Medical Superintendent and Deputy Director of Medical Services, opined that with the passion they have for the Sierra Leone Police, over four hundred and eighty (480) people applied to the hospital for them to benefit; noting that only one hundred and forty (140) patients will be operated and the Team will be based at the Kingtom Police Hospital to conduct the surgical operations.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Ana Mi Gdy Fdez, the team Lead elucidated that it was a pleasure for them to come to Sierra Leone and partner with the SLP, as one hundred and forth (140) patients will be benefiting from their surgical operations. She revealed that they will come back to Sierra Leone at the end of this year, for undertake further surgeries.
She ended by saying that “all of us are happy to partner with the SLP and to be in Sierra Leone”.
Welcoming the Team, the Inspector General was appreciative of their support to the SLP. In his words, he noted: “I was very impressed when I read the description on your T- Shirt: “Partnership with the Police Hospital in Freetown”, which, he said, showed that the Team is partnering with the SLP for the third time by receiving Medics from Spain to support Sierra Leone and the Police. I am very grateful for such support, the IGP said.
Mr. Sellu recalled that he spoke to the other set of Surgery in action that those who benefited from your services can not afford because they are very expensive but thanks God for providing free surgical operations for our police personnel dependants and the community as a whole.
IGP Fayia Sellu craved for a continuation of such efforts in the quest to provide for the welfare and medical needs of personnel, their dependants and the wider community.
IG Sellu was also pleased that the Team left Spain and came to Sierra Leone at their own cost. This, he said, is a testament of the symbol of synergy between them and the SLP; adding that he is looking forward to more support in diverse fields.
As protocol and legal procedures demand, any health related team coming to operate in Sierra Leone must first obtain clearance from the country’s authorising body, which is the Medical and Dental Council. In view of the aforesaid, IGP William Fayia Sellu informed the team that he had done the needful by obtaining the authorisation clearance which he then handed over to the team Lead.
In closing, he wished the Team a pleasant stay in the country and promised to visit them in operation.
