PROF. OSMAN A. SANKOH, COR

Prof. Osman A. Sankoh, COR, is an esteemed Sierra Leonean academic and the Principal Biostatistician / Epidemiologist at Sustainable Health Systems Sierra Leone. He is also a Research Professor and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Management and Technology (UNIMTECH) in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with adjunct and honorary professorships at Njala University, Wits University (South Africa), and Heidelberg University (Germany).

Prof. Sankoh has an extensive background in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Public Health, which has significantly impacted health data research globally. His career highlights include serving as the Executive Director of the global INDEPTH Network based in Ghana from 2007-2018, where he managed numerous international research grants and collaborative projects funded by major foundations such as the Wellcome Trust, Gates Foundation, and Rockefeller Foundation.

From 2018 to 2023, he was the Statistician General of Sierra Leone and CEO of Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), during which he also served as Vice Chancellor & Principal of Njala University. His expertise in statistical leadership was further recognized through his roles on the United Nations Statistical Commission as Rapporteur and Vice-Chair.

Prof. Sankoh's scholarly contributions include over 120 publications in top-tier journals such as The Lancet, Science, and the International Journal of Epidemiology. He actively contributes to the editorial boards of international journals like The Lancet Global Health and Tropical Medicine and International Health.

Educated at the Technical University of Dortmund (Germany) and Njala University (Sierra Leone), his academic and leadership skills have been acknowledged with several prestigious awards, including the 'Commander of the Order of the Rokel (COR)' by the President of Sierra Leone in April 2022.

In his role at Sustainable Health Systems Sierra Leone, Prof. Sankoh continues to apply his vast expertise in biostatistics and epidemiology to enhance health systems and policies both locally and internationally, furthering his impact on global public health.

KATRINA HANN

Ms. Hann has over six nine years’ experience in health research and evidence-based policy development, with six years in Sierra Leone. She has a track record of developing strong teams for ethical and context-sensitive research in infectious diseases and mental health, particularly with vulnerable populations and has managed research in infectious diseases and mental health in low resources settings and economically disadvantaged and stigmatized populations. Having crossed into management and monitoring and evaluation for health programmes, Ms. Hann has a strong understanding of how data can inform the development, pilot, and scale of health programmes. She has also worked closely with community groups, health practitioners, and policy makers in evidence translation for policy development. Ms. Hann has had the privilege of mentoring emerging and early career health researchers in Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and Myanmar. She strives to champion research capacity, scientific career development, and equitable transnational research partnerships into her approach. Ms. Hann’s research interests lie in the social determinants of health and health access in low-resource settings, with a specific focus on adolescents and young adults in primary and community settings.

SULAIMAN LAKOH

Sulaiman Lakoh is a Sierra Leonean Infectious Disease Physician with over ten years of work experience in the fields of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and Public Health. He provides quality technical assessment and capacity development in Malaria, HIV, Ebola Virus Disease, COVID-19, tuberculosis, cholera, antimicrobial resistance, and infection prevention and control. He has a good track record in conducting investigations, training on HIV, tuberculosis, Malaria, and other infectious diseases. His expertise extends to integrated disease surveillance and response, pharmacovigilance in health care settings, advocacy, and information, education and communication on contemporary health issues, and clinical audits. He has provided clinical and public health services in Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

STEPHEN SEVALIE

Dr Stephen Sevalie is a psychiatrist with background in public health and development management. He is a Lecturer in College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences and clinical and research lead with the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed forces. His broad background and experience in teaching, research and clinical practice in the context of limited resources has provided him a unique skill set to support health initiatives in disadvantaged populations. As one of only two psychiatrists in Sierra Leone, his vision is to realise equitable health systems that fully integrate mental health into primary care services. He is currently working on reducing the treatment gap for mental illness in Sierra Leone through use of technology. Dr Stephen Sevalie received his MBChB from College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, Sierra Leone; MSc in Development Management in the Institute of Public Administration and Management, Sierra Leone and Masters in Medicine (Psychiatry) and public health training in the University of Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Sevalie serves as the Director of Mental Health and Founder of Sustainable Health Sierra Leone.

ABDULAI JAWO BAH

Pharm Abdulai Jawo Bah is a Pharmacist with post graduate training in Pharmacology and Public Health Pharmacy. He’s currently undertaking a Fellowship program with Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine on Health Systems Strengthening in Fragile and Post-conflict countries. He is the head of the Research Committee and a Lecturer at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences. His background and experience in public health research the context of limited resource-limited settings has provided him a unique skill set to support health systems in disadvantaged populations. Pharm Abdulai Jawo Bah received his B-Pharm (Hons) from the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, and his Public Health Pharmacy with the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacy. He is currently a final doctoral student in Queen Margaret University. His research is focused on developing a collaborative care model for perinatal psychological distress. On the SHS team, Pharm Abdulai Jawo Bah is a founding member, an integral member of the Senior Management Team, and provides leadership as the Director for Health Systems Strengthening.

BAILAH MOLLEH

Bailah is a mixed-method researcher with an emphasis on Qualitative Research. His experience includes data collection, research administration, data management and analysis, facilitating research collaboration and dissemination. His work cuts across several sectors including security, governance, human rights, gender, youth and health system strengthening. He has worked with public, private and international organizations and he is currently supporting several research projects in Sierra Leone. Bailah has extensive experience working as a data analyst using both qualitative and quantitative tools. He is conversant with Excel Framework, Nvivo, Powerbi and STATA and Arcgis. He possesses strong knowledge in Protocol development, qualitative data analysis tools such as Atlast.ti and exposed to managing and providing technical support in the computer assisted data collection systems. Bailah is working towards developing a lifelong career in research and public policy and this has been the driving force behind his strong interest in research. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Research and Public Policy at the University of Sierra Leone.

RODNEY WILLIAMS

Rodney Theophilus Williams is a Finance and Administrative Specialist. His broad background is on Finance and Administration. He has worked in several both Local and International Organisation on Finance, Administration, Operations and Grant Management. He is a Professional Accountant with Association of Certified Chartered Accountant, BSc. In Accounting and Finance in the Institute of Public Administration and Management. Also diploma in Accounting, Economics, Marketing, Business Administration with Anglia Ruskin University and also several certificate with Management Accounting for Non-Governmental Organizations MANGO in Practical Financial Management, StarTeam Management, Budgeting Essential.

HASSAN S. KAMARA

Human Resource Management and Development Management Specialist with higher professional level training in Business Administration and Development Management. He has vast experience in leadership, administration and financial management; working at both national and international levels including the United Nations. Wide travelling experience with broad knowledge in international affairs. Adequate experience in imparting knowledge including lecturing at university level. Additionally, a trained and qualified Physiotherapist with over twenty-three years of working experience, mostly providing mentorship and on-the-job training for staff under command. Also, a career Military Officer with over eighteen years of working experience and an impeccable and outstanding career profile; currently in the senior rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Versatile in computer software applications, a good communicator, creative, multi-skilled, strong team player, high-level achiever with excellent human relation skills.

GLADYS NANILLA

Gladys Nanilla Kamara is a public health professional and a senior nursing officer with over 10 years’ experience at both clinical and administrative levels. She has a BSc honours degree in public health, diploma in nursing and certificates in other health-related fields. She is research oriented and has contribute greatly to health systems strengthening through her voluntary participation in health and other emergencies in Sierra Leone. Gladys is currently an Infectious Diseases Unit program manager at the 34 Military hospital in the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces and has spent the last 3 years in this capacity. As a member of the national COVID-19 Emergency Response in Sierra Leone, she has been able to coordinate and facilitated the training of over six thousand healthcare workers (clinical and administrative staff) and other support as the national training coordinator and a lead trainer. She is great facilitator, a team builder and an excellent negotiator. She is known for her ability to build successful multidisciplinary teams that achieve results. Her competencies include clinical management of infectious diseases, research, health systems strengthening, longitudinal studies, qualitative and quantitative research and program management.