President Dr. Julius Maada Bio

President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has reaffirmed his Government’s dedication to education and healthcare after inspecting the ongoing construction of a multipurpose skills-laboratory and administrative complex and unveiling a state-of-the-art Anatomage digital facility at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), on Monday, September 15, 2025 at COMAHS Campus, Kossoh Town, in Jui.

Addressing President Bio during the visit, Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Mohamed Samai recounted the tremendous strides the institution has made over nearly four decades. Founded in 1988 with just 12 pioneering students, COMAHS now enrolls over 6,800 learners, 70 percent of whom are women.

Professor Mohamed Samai stressed that this growth reflects not only an increase in student numbers but also a transformation in research, training and innovation. Under his leadership, COMAHS established a Research and Innovation Support Office to strengthen academic work, helping faculty members secure international grants and partnerships. Those grants, he explained, have spurred job creation and strengthened Sierra Leone’s healthcare sector by supporting research-driven solutions.

He also revealed that with backing from development partners working through the Ministry of Health, the construction of the Basic Medical Sciences complex at Kossoh Town will be completed in time for the next academic year. The facility, he said, will host lecture halls, laboratories and administrative offices, significantly expanding the institution’s training capacity.

A key highlight of the President’s visit was his tour of the Anatomage laboratory, a cutting-edge digital platform that has redefined the teaching of human anatomy.

Dr. Isaac Olufemi Smalle, Head of the Anatomy Department, described the technology as a “revolutionary leap” for medical education in Sierra Leone. Unlike traditional methods, Anatomage allows students to virtually dissect and explore the human body in three dimensions, providing a richer and more interactive learning experience.

“This is the kind of innovation that ensures our graduates are equipped with global-standard training,”Dr. Isaac Olufemi Smalle said. “It not only enhances learning but also elevates COMAHS’s reputation as a modern medical institution.”

Speaking after his tour, President Bio expressed delight at the progress made by COMAHS and the adoption of technologies that align with his Human Capital Development agenda. He said the Anatomage facility demonstrates how Sierra Leone can embrace innovation to uplift its education system.

“With this state-of-the-art technology, our students will gain skills that prepare them to compete with their peers anywhere in the world,” President Bio remarked. “This is not just about education it is about giving Sierra Leoneans the tools to build a stronger and healthier nation.”

He reiterated his Government’s commitment to expanding access to quality education across the country. The President emphasized that his Human Capital Development policy is designed to ensure inclusivity, giving every citizen the chance to thrive regardless of geography or social status.

The President also took time to acknowledge the critical role of nurses and other healthcare professionals in the country’s health sector. He described them as the backbone of healthcare delivery, noting that they are often the ones who provide care when citizens are at their most vulnerable.

“My Government will continue to support the training and welfare of nurses because they are essential to building a resilient health system,” he assured.

In closing, President Bio extended appreciation to Sierra Leone’s development partners for their consistent support. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with international and local partners to advance education, research and healthcare delivery.

He also appealed to citizens to embrace collective responsibility in building the nation. “Transformation requires unity,” the President said. “If we work together and support one another, Sierra Leone will achieve lasting progress.”

The President’s tour of COMAHS highlighted both the achievements and the promise of the institution as a hub of medical training in Sierra Leone. With the Anatomage facility already changing how students learn and the new Basic Medical Sciences complex nearing completion, COMAHS is poised to produce a new generation of medical professionals ready to meet the country’s healthcare challenges.

For students, faculty and the wider health sector, the developments represent a milestone; one that reflects Sierra Leone’s determination to modernize education, strengthen healthcare and invest in the future of its people.

​The Calabash Newspaper is Sierra Leone’s leading English‑language news platform—established in 2017 to deliver trusted coverage of politics, culture, health, and more to audiences both at home and abroad.