ABC (Nursing) training in Sierra Leone

Interburns has a long-term programme in Sierra Leone. In 2025, Essential Burn Care (EBC) was delivered to 64 multi-disciplinary staff from Freetown and the provinces, 34 therapists took part in Advanced Burn Care (Rehabilitation) from Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Liberia, Kenya and Syria, and training was given to 20 community health workers in Community Burn Prevention ahead of a wider programme in Moyamba District.

An Interburns team visited the country in March, to deliver Advanced Burn Care (Nursing). 29 nurses attended from the Connaught Hospital, the Choithram Memorial Hospital and government hospitals in 6 provinces. 2 nurses attended from the Edward Small Memorial Hospital, Gambia and the JFK Memorial Hospital, Liberia. 1 nurse attended from Hyderabad Burn Centre, Pakistan, funded by Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning (PILL).

The course was led by Andrea Frestadius (Sweden), supported by nurses Charlotte Leach (UK), Sarfoah Ampong and Elizabeth Hansen (Ghana), Tatu Suleiman Muhidini (Tanzania) and local health staff Foday Koroma and Matron Rhoda Ajim (nurses), Martina Bassie (nutritionist), Dr Martha Forde (surgeon), Balansama Janneh (therapist) and Mohamed Kargbo (anaesthetist).

The course was opened by Tina Bajec, and Trustees, Dr Opoku Ware Ampomah and Margaret Gowrinath. The team met with key stakeholders and made recommendations about the new burns unit, which was officially inaugurated in early April.