Dr. Aminata Bangura Sesay

Dr. Aminata Bangura Sesay is a consultant haematologist at Connaught Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone's national referral hospital. With 12 years of specialist experience and MRCP (UK) qualifications, she specialises in sickle cell disease, haemoglobinopathies, and anaemia management. Sierra Leone, like much of West Africa, carries a high prevalence of sickle cell disease and related haemoglobinopathies, making Dr. Bangura Sesay's expertise of critical importance for the country's population. As one of the few qualified haematologists in Sierra Leone, she is the primary specialist for patients with haematological disorders at the national referral centre, providing both acute crisis management and long-term outpatient care.

Dr. Bangura Sesay completed her MBBS at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) in Freetown and achieved the MRCP (UK) through the Royal College of Physicians' rigorous written and clinical examination system. She completed Haematology Subspecialty Training through an accredited programme, gaining expertise in haemoglobinopathy management, coagulation disorder assessment, bone marrow evaluation, and blood transfusion medicine. Her training in sickle cell disease management encompassed hydroxyurea therapy, exchange transfusion protocols, and multi-organ complication prevention strategies. She participates in RCP and African haematology CME networks including the West African haematology society activities.

Dr. Bangura Sesay's haematology practice addresses the full spectrum of blood disorders relevant to Sierra Leone's population. Her sickle cell expertise encompasses acute vaso-occlusive crisis management, acute chest syndrome recognition and treatment, stroke prevention with transcranial Doppler screening and transfusion protocols, and hydroxyurea therapy initiation and monitoring for chronic pain reduction. She manages all major haemoglobinopathies including HbSS, HbSC, and beta-thalassaemia syndromes. Her anaemia practice covers iron deficiency, nutritional anaemias, haemolytic anaemias, and anaemia in the context of malaria and chronic infection. She also evaluates and manages coagulation disorders and thrombocytopenia, referring haematological malignancies to regional oncology centres.

Connaught Hospital provides haematology services for Sierra Leone's residents including the expatriate community — NGO workers, diplomatic staff, and international researchers based in Freetown. Dr. Bangura Sesay consults in English and Krio, and has experience managing patients from diverse international backgrounds. For sickle cell patients travelling to or from Sierra Leone, she provides disease management continuity and emergency crisis care. Complex haematological cases requiring bone marrow transplantation or specialist oncology are referred to Ghana, Senegal, or international centres through established referral pathways. Lungi International Airport connects to West African hubs and beyond.

Dr. Bangura Sesay has been recognised by the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association and international sickle cell advocacy organisations for her contributions to haematology care in West Africa. Her MRCP (UK) from the Royal College of Physicians reflects internationally assessed medical excellence. She has been commended by the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health for her contributions to national sickle cell disease awareness and newborn screening programme development. She has presented at West African haematology meetings on sickle cell management in resource-limited settings.