By Andrew Chokpeleh
Freetown, 30th October 2025- After nearly two decades, the Connaught Hospital Mortuary has undergone a full-scale rehabilitation, a vital step in restoring dignity and respect to those who have passed away.
According to Dr. Kapuwa, Hospital Care Manager at Connaught Hospital, the facility had long been in a state of disrepair. Most of the refrigerators were broken, making it impossible to properly preserve corpses. The resulting odor affected hospital staff and even nearby residents. Space was also a major concern, as the mortuary struggled to accommodate the growing number of bodies, including those brought in from the streets.
Now, with renovations complete, the mortuary has been significantly upgraded. Staff have received training to operate modern equipment that ensures proper preservation of bodies. Dr. Kapuwa praised the inspirational leadership of Dr. Austin Demby and the Connaught Hospital management for recognizing the urgent need to restore the facility.
Dr. Kabba, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Sciences, stressed that the mortuary will require ongoing maintenance to remain in good condition. “We will continue regular maintenance as we work to improve how we treat the dead,” he said. “Our patients, even in death, remain at the center of everything we do.” He added that the mortuary is now a state-of-the-art facility, equipped with ample space and advanced preservation tools.
Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. Morie Lengor, described the transformation as “unbelievable,” noting that the facility had been in a deplorable state for far too long. He commended Dr. Demby and his team for their leadership and commitment to improving healthcare across Sierra Leone. “Even in death, Sierra Leoneans will now be treated with dignity,” he said. The minister also expressed optimism that post-mortem examinations will no longer pose the challenges they once did, thanks to the advanced equipment now in place.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health and Sanitation, highlighted the broader transformation underway at Connaught Hospital. “Connaught is our premier institution, and we must take good care of it,” he said. “A few years ago, staff and patients were unhappy because the hospital was in chaos. Unfortunately, that memory still lingers, and people are not paying attention to the progress we have made.”
Dr. Kapuwa, Hospital Care Manager at Connaught Hospital, speaking during the commissioning
Dr. Demby outlined major improvements in hygiene and cleanliness, making the hospital more welcoming for patients. He announced the installation of a 120-slice CT scan one of the most advanced diagnostic tools in the world and the construction of a new state-of-the-art burns unit in collaboration with LEONCO, inspired by lessons learned from the Wellington tanker explosion.
He also noted that the hospital now has a reliable oxygen supply powered by solar energy, equivalent to twelve 100KVA generators, ensuring uninterrupted service even during power outages. Connaught Hospital, he said, is home to some of the country’s finest medical experts, but improving public hospital infrastructure remains a top priority.
In a personal gesture to build public trust, Dr. Demby shared that he receives medical care at Connaught Hospital. He reaffirmed that these health sector reforms extend beyond Freetown to other regions across Sierra Leone. While acknowledging persistent challenges such as the lack of postal codes and transportation for medical staff he assured that efforts are underway to address them.
