21 Percival St, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Mon - Fri : 24hrs Service
+232 30053394
Excellence in Surgical Care, Training & Research

Department of Surgery

The Department of Surgery is committed to delivering exceptional surgical care through advanced clinical expertise, modern technology, and compassionate patient management. We provide emergency, trauma, elective, and specialized surgical services while fostering excellence in teaching, research, innovation, and the training of future surgical professionals.

8+
Surgical Specialties
24/7
Emergency Surgical Services
Teaching
Residency & Medical Education

Department Overview

The Department of Surgery is one of the leading clinical departments of the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex, providing comprehensive surgical care through a multidisciplinary team of highly trained specialists. The department delivers emergency, elective, and specialized surgical services while advancing medical education, postgraduate residency training, clinical research, and innovation.

Our services span General Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Urology, Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dentistry, and Radiology, ensuring coordinated, patient-centred care across all age groups.

Head of Department

Dr. Aiah Lebbie

Pediatric Surgery Unit
MBChB, FCS (ECSA), FCPS (SL)

Dr Aiah Lebbie is a distinguished pediatric surgeon with extensive experience in clinical practice, academic leadership, and surgical education. Under his leadership, the Department of Surgery continues to strengthen its role as a centre of excellence in surgical training and patient care.

Vision

To be a regional centre of excellence in surgical care, education, research, and innovation, delivering world-class patient outcomes through multidisciplinary collaboration.

Mission

To provide safe, timely, and evidence-based surgical services while promoting excellence in teaching, residency training, research, and continuous professional development for healthcare professionals.

Core Services

The Department provides a wide range of clinical, educational, and research services, including:

General Surgery
Paediatric Surgery
Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgery
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Urology
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Surgery
Ophthalmology
Dentistry & Oral Surgery
Diagnostic Radiology & Imaging
Emergency Surgical Services
Residency Training
Clinical Research

Why Choose Our Department

Experienced Consultant Surgeons
Comprehensive Emergency Surgical Care
Modern Operating Theatres
Residency & Medical Student Training
Multidisciplinary Patient Management
Commitment to Research & Innovation

Faculty Key Staff Member

Name Designation Speciality / Unit Qualifications
Dr. Aiah Lebbie Head of Department Pediatric Surgery MBChB, FCS (ECSA), FCPS (SL)
Dr. S.S. Dumbuya Consultant General Surgery GOOR, MBChB, FRCS (Ed), FWACS, FCPS (SL)
Dr. A. Dawoh Consultant General Surgery MBChB, MSc, AFSA, FWACS, FCPS (SL)
Dr. M. Kabba Consultant General Surgery MBChB, Dr.med, FCPS (SL)
Prof. T.B. Kamara Consultant Urology MD, FWACS, FCPS (SL)
Prof. Oluwadiya K.S CMD Orthopedic Surgery MBBS (Ib), FMCS (Orthop), FACS, MD
Dr. D.J. Lavaly Consultant Orthopedic Surgery MBChB, MMed (Orthop)
Dr. I. Bundu Consultant Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgery MD, MS (Orthop & Trauma), FCPS (SL)
Dr. A. Jalloh Consultant Plastic Surgery MBChB, FWACS (Plast), FCPS (SL)
Dr. A.K. Kabineh Consultant ENT Surgery MBBS, MS (ORL), MBA (IHHCM), FWACS
Dr. E. Wongo Consultant Plastic Surgery MBChB, FWACS, FCPS (SL)
Dr. M. Vandy Consultant Ophthalmology MD, DO, MSc, DPM, FCPS (SL)
Dr. J. Mustapha Consultant Ophthalmology MBChB, MSc, MMed (Ophth), FICO, FCPS (SL)
Dr. D.I. Kamara Principal Dental Officer Dentistry
Dr. G.J. Elba Dental Surgeon Dentistry DMD (MSc)

Departmental Units and Their Functions

1. General Surgery Unit
Functions:
  • Comprehensive inpatient and outpatient surgical services
  • Resident, house officer, and medical student training
  • Clinical research
Consultants:
  • Dr. S.S. Dumbuya
  • Dr. A. Dawoh
  • Dr. M. Kabba
Weekly Schedule:
  • Monday–Friday: Clinical meetings, ward rounds, specialist outpatient clinics, and operating sessions.
  • Wednesday: Grand ward rounds & emergency operations.
2. Pediatric Surgery Unit
Functions:
  • Specialised surgical care for children
  • Academic training and mentorship
  • Collaborative research
Consultant:
  • Dr. Aiah Lebbie
Partners:
  • Sick Pikin Project
  • Bethany Kids
3. Orthopaedics and Trauma Unit
Functions:
  • Orthopaedic and trauma surgical services
  • Training of residents and students
  • Research and collaboration with AO Alliance Foundation and SIGN Nail
Consultants:
  • Prof. Oluwadiya K.S
  • Dr. D.J. Lavaly
  • Dr. I. Bundu
4. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit
Functions:
  • Management of burns, congenital deformities, and reconstructive surgery
  • Training and surgical research
Consultants:
  • Dr. Abdulai Jalloh
  • Dr. Eric Wongo
Partner:
  • Resurge Africa
5. ENT Unit
Functions:
  • Diagnosis and management of ear, nose, and throat conditions
  • Audiology services
  • Training and national ENT coordination
Consultant:
  • Dr. Karim Kabineh
Partners:
  • China Medical Team
  • Bintumani Organization
6. Radiology Unit
Functions:
  • Diagnostic imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound, SPECT, PET)
  • Training and research support for clinical departments
Consultants:
  • Dr. Frank M. Kosia
  • Dr. Anmarie Jah-Kabba
  • Dr Sahr M. Lengor
7. Ophthalmology Unit
Functions:
  • Diagnosis and management of eye diseases
  • Surgical interventions
  • Training and public eye health programs
Consultants:
  • Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha
  • Dr. Mathew Vandy
  • Dr. Mbaimba Idriss
8. Dentistry Unit
Functions:
  • General dental care and oral surgery
  • Maxillofacial surgery
  • Root canal treatments and dentures
Consultants:
  • Dr David Idriss Kamara – Principal Dental Officer
  • Dr George J. Elba – Dental Surgeon
  • Dr Ahmad Alhassan Sheriff – Dental Surgeon

Research and Academic Activities

  • Clinical research across all surgical subspecialties
  • Monthly Morbidity and Mortality Conferences
  • Ongoing studies in pediatric and trauma surgery
  • Collaborative projects with national and international partners

Key Achievements

  • Commencement of postgraduate medical training programs
  • Successful training of multiple residents to the membership level of the West African College of Surgeons
  • Expansion of specialised services and interdepartmental collaborations

Challenges

  • Shortage of faculty and essential surgical equipment
  • Limited training materials and consumables
  • Inadequate office and library facilities
  • Expired accreditation pending renewal