By sulaiman.sesay@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – Kono District witnessed a major healthcare upgrade as Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu commissioned a new medical facility and deployed two motorbikes to strengthen health service delivery for police personnel and local communities.
The newly operational health center will serve officers from two police divisions, their families, and neighboring residents – addressing critical gaps in medical access that have long affected law enforcement effectiveness in the region.
“Healthy officers mean better public service,” IGP Sellu declared during the inauguration. “This facility represents our sustained commitment to officer welfare after years of healthcare challenges within the force.”
The Kono initiative forms part of a nationwide police healthcare revolution under Sellu’s leadership. Key developments include:
- The ongoing upgrade of Kingtom Police Hospital into a teaching institution
- A partnership with Spain’s Surgeons in Action Foundation that has delivered 700 free surgeries for officers and civilians
- Established medical facilities in all regional headquarters including Lungi and Mattru
Alongside the brick-and-mortar investments, the IGP’s donation of motorbikes will enable medical teams to overcome transportation barriers in delivering care. The package also included essential medicines and medical equipment to ensure immediate operational capacity.
“This is more than a building – it’s a lifeline for our protectors and the communities they serve,” remarked a senior police medic at the ceremony. The Kono facility notably expands healthcare access in a district where limited medical infrastructure has historically constrained service delivery.
With this latest intervention, IGP Sellu continues to transform police welfare from a peripheral concern to a central pillar of law enforcement strategy. As the force’s medical network grows, the benefits are increasingly spilling over to civilian populations – creating rare win-win scenarios in Sierra Leone’s healthcare landscape.
The Kono inauguration underscores a fundamental truth now guiding police leadership: officer wellbeing and public safety are inseparable priorities requiring equal investment. As other regions await similar upgrades, all eyes will be on how these facilities sustain quality care in the long term. SKS/3/4/2025
