Sierra Leone Welcomes Its First Neurosurgeon to Save Lives

Morie Abibu, a 56-year-old man from Sierra Leone, lies paralyzed from the neck down due to a mass pressing against his spinal cord. Without timely neurosurgery, Abibu faces a life-threatening condition that could lead to suffocation. Fortunately, he is receiving treatment at Connaught Hospital, where Dr. Alieu Kamara, the first and only neurosurgeon in Sierra Leone, has begun his practice. Since commencing his work in January 2025, Kamara is now responsible for the neurosurgical needs of a nation of eight million people.

Before Kamara’s arrival, patients like Abibu had little hope. Dr. Kehinde Oluwadiya, acting chief medical director of the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospital Complex, noted that access to neurosurgical care was limited to those who could afford to travel abroad for treatment. “If you are lucky and rich, you will go to another country and be treated. But if you are not, it’s either you die or you live with a lot of disability,” he stated.

In April 2025, the situation began to improve when April Sabangan, CEO of Mission Brain—an organization based in California dedicated to enhancing global neurosurgical care—visited the hospital alongside two surgeons from Stanford University, Dr. Seunggu Han and Dr. Silvia Vaca. Together, they aimed to support Kamara’s new neurosurgical department, which operates within a facility that shares two operating rooms among various surgical specialties.

Preparing for Abibu’s surgery involved overcoming significant logistical challenges. Improvised bolsters were created from surgical gowns, and the operating room was illuminated by battery-powered surgical headlights after a power outage plunged the room into darkness. Despite these hurdles, Kamara proceeded with the operation, removing a piece of bone affected by a tumor.

The surgery lasted three hours, during which Kamara faced multiple power interruptions common during Sierra Leone’s rainy season. The team successfully completed the first-ever spine surgery in the country, a milestone moment for both Kamara and the healthcare system.

Kamara’s journey to becoming a neurosurgeon is deeply rooted in his challenging upbringing. Born in a small village in eastern Sierra Leone, he was affected by the brutal civil war that spanned his childhood. Inspired by a traumatic incident where he was unable to help a friend with a broken arm, Kamara decided to pursue a career in medicine. After years of hard work, he secured a scholarship to study medicine in Jilin, China, where he earned both an MD and a Ph.D. in orthopedic surgery.

Despite his qualifications, Kamara faced a dire situation upon his return to Sierra Leone. Patients with head and spine injuries were often placed under orthopedic care due to the absence of a neurosurgical unit. “We used to lose a lot of patients due to head injuries, spinal cord injuries, spine fractures and the like,” he said.

The establishment of a neurosurgical service required a collective effort. Fatu Conteh, a neurosurgery resident in California who fled Sierra Leone during the civil war, played a pivotal role in advocating for the development of a neurosurgical program. After witnessing her grandmother’s paralysis due to a lack of timely care, Conteh connected with Dr. Sonia Spencer, chairperson of the hospital complex. Together, they began to seek partners to make neurosurgery a reality in Sierra Leone.

Through various connections, including Dr. Kee Park from the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, Conteh was able to build a network that led to the involvement of Mission Brain. This organization aimed to train Kamara and provide essential resources for establishing a sustainable neurosurgery program.

The project received funding from personal donations and contributions from Mission Brain’s foundation. Kamara was awarded an 18-month neurotrauma fellowship, and the organization also facilitated training for nursing staff in neurotrauma patient management.

Following Abibu’s surgery, he was able to show movement in his toes just six hours post-operation, a remarkable sign of recovery that brought tears of joy to his family and medical team. “For a patient paralyzed for months to move their toes just six hours after surgery is almost unheard of,” noted Dr. Silvia Vaca.

Despite the success, challenges remain. Connaught Hospital continues to face limitations in medical supplies and imaging capabilities. Abibu’s family had to borrow $300 to cover the cost of his surgery, a substantial amount given that it represents half of a local family’s average annual income.

In response to these challenges, the government is working to develop a dedicated neurosurgery ward and has purchased a CT scanner for the hospital. With Mission Brain’s assistance, 24 nurses have already been trained in neurotrauma patient management.

Dr. Mustapha Kabba, deputy chief medical officer of the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of this initiative for the country’s healthcare system. “I see this as a litmus test for what is possible in the health sector. There’s a lot of pessimism in our system,” he remarked.

Kamara remains committed to building a self-sufficient neurosurgery program, aspiring to inspire a new generation of medical professionals. He provides his personal contact information to all his patients and is available to follow up on their recoveries. “I work around the clock. I work seven days a week. I have to follow up on patients,” he stated.

As Sierra Leone embarks on this new chapter in healthcare, the impact of Kamara’s work extends beyond patient care, potentially transforming the future of neurosurgery in the country.