Sandra Lako, MD MPH COR

Country Director @MercyShips Sierra Leone | Medical doctor | Global health | Child health | Safe Surgery | Views my own | 🇸🇱🇳🇱

[Sandra Lako, MD MPH COR @sandralako]

With great joy & honour I received an esteemed award from His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio today. What a momentous occasion! Thank you to so many people who have supported me during my 14 years in #SierraLeone. #CommanderoftheOrderoftheRokel
#COR #landthatwelove

[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @DrTedros]

My update on the #Ebola outbreak in the #DRC and #Uganda to the #WHA79 delegates ⬇️

This outbreak, alongside the hantavirus one, shows why international threats need an international response, why the world needs the International Health Regulations, and why it needs @WHO.

[Mercy Ships @MercyShips]

OK… we know you might have a few questions about Mercy Ships 👀🚢

So we’re starting something new: Deep Dive.
A series where we pull back the curtain and answer the questions we get all the time!

We believe in transparency, honest conversations. Ask away! and

[MoH @mohs_sl]

An inspiring story of recovery, resilience & hope from kush survivors as #MoH, @DembyAustin, #MinistryofSocialWelfare , @pihsierraleone today discharged over 40 youths after going through an extensive in-patient medical care, wound management & more at the #KissiRehab facility.

[Mercy Ships @MercyShips]

Today is a special day for #MercyShips, as we commission our new CEO, Dr. Michelle White.

Join us in prayer today as this new chapter unfolds in our mission towards #HopeAndHealing 💙🙏

[Mercy Ships @MercyShips]

For 15 years, a large mass on Farah’s neck and throat stole his livelihood and hope.

Today, thanks to #FreeSurgery on the #GlobalMercy, he’s free — ready to start a new chapter of life. 💙

#MercyShips #SafeSurgery #HopeAndHealing

[Julius Maada Bio @julius_maadabio]

I inaugurated a new maternal healthcare facility in Kono, setting a global standard to deliver exceptional care to Kono and Sierra Leone.

I thank Partners In Health for their partnership. We honor the late Dr. Paul Farmer's legacy by committedly saving women and newborns' lives.
@PIH

[Mercy Ships @MercyShips]

Meet Mohamed. Devoted father, kekeh driver, and the first patient welcomed during this field service in #SierraLeone.

After years of living with a painful hernia, hope arrived for Mohamed aboard the #GlobalMercy.

Now, Mohamed’s journey from pain to healing has finally begun!

[Mercy Ships @MercyShips]

For six years, Hawa was mocked for the large goiter on her neck. Today, she is free of the emotional and physical burden!

We are grateful to get to experience these life-changing journeys with patients like Hawa!

#HopeAndHealing #SierraLeone #SafeSurgery

[Mercy Ships @MercyShips]

Before the first patient walks up the gangway, our volunteers are already showing up with love and care!

They’ve been preparing every corner of the hospital on the #GlobalMercy — making sure it’s clean, safe, and ready for healing to begin 💙

#MercyShips #HopeAndHealing #Africa

[MoH @mohs_sl]

Great news for the people of S/L as @VP_Jalloh, #MoH @DembyAustin just welcomed @MercyShips in-country for the 3rd consecutive year. The Global Mercy’s impact is undeniable after completing more than 3,000 FREE surgeries for 3240 people across diverse surgical specialties.

[Mercy Ships @MercyShips]

This month, the #GlobalMercy is undergoing her first “dry dock” maintenance since her construction! 🛠️

Our expert crew is hard at work making sure she’s ship-shape and ready to continue bringing hope and healing in #SierraLeone later this year!

#MercyShips #ShipYard

[MoH @mohs_sl]

Another major win in the fight against #Mpox in #SierraLeone as #GoVSL @DembyAustin @npha_sl just received another 50,000 additional doses of vaccines. Made possible through @gavi , @AfricaCDC, @WHOSierraLeone @UNICEFSL, these drugs will increase chances of defeating the virus.

[Mercy Ships Africa @MercyShipsASC]

For six years, Hawa, a farmer and mother from Sierra Leone, endured pain and ridicule for the large goiter on her neck.

But when she heard about Mercy Ships on the radio, hope began to grow.

#HopeAndHealing #SierraLeone #MercyShips #GlobalMercy #SafeSurgery #GlobalSurgery

[MERCY SHIPS NZ @MERCYSHIPSNZ]

Wrapping up 10 months in Sierra Leone with 1,650 surgeries and training for health pros. Back in 2025! 🚢💙🌍

[WHO Sierra Leone @WHOSierraLeone]

The fight against mpox continues. With support from WHO, the Government of Sierra Leone today received 75,000 additional vaccine doses to strengthen the ongoing outbreak response. Grateful to the Ministry of Health, DRC, for their generous donation.

[Sandra Lako, MD MPH COR @sandralako]

Beauty in my own backyard.
#Freetown #SierraLeone

[MoH @mohs_sl]

As the hospital ship departs temporarily for maintenance, #MoH and @MercyShips prepare for free life-changing surgeries set to begin in August.

[Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh @VP_Jalloh]

This morning, I delivered a statement and officially opened the Pediatric Association of Sierra Leone’s Annual General Scientific Meeting. This year’s theme “Breaking the Cycle: Ending Childhood Malnutrition in Sierra Leone” aligns strongly with the bold actions Government is taking to scale interventions to reduce malnutrition. I used the occasion to applaud the exemplary work and commitment of our pediatricians whose tireless contributions have been instrumental to the significant reduction in infant mortality. I highlighted specific actions we have undertaken in recent years including domestic budget support for therapeutic foods and multiple micronutrients supplements for pregnant women. I noted that these activities are part of the broader Feed Salone program’s objective of ensuring food security.

Lastly, I encouraged pediatrician to assess nutrition as a multi-dimensional input that goes beyond a clinical intervention to include cultural practices and supply chain considerations which involve NGOs and other stakeholders to name a few. An integrated system approach to reducing malnutrition is critical to providing holistic care.

Bravo to the association for a well organized event and breakthrough presentations.

[MoH @mohs_sl]

With over 1400 successful free surgeries so far, #SierraLeone’s partnership with @MercyShips has been nothing but successful. #MoH’s @med_kabba62373 joined Mercy Ships volunteer surgeons yesterday to perform free surgical procedures as a show of the ministry’s ongoing support.

[Sandra Lako, MD MPH COR @sandralako]

Shout out to inspiring #healthheroes like Matron Deen whose passion, courage and perseverance bring about positive change in the health sector! Read more below about Matron Deen’s transformative work in #SierraLeone on this #InternationalWomensDay.
#IWD2025

[Mercy Ships Africa @MercyShipsASC]

This International Women’s Day, #MercyShips honors the contributions of women in healthcare who are leading change, breaking barriers, and transforming lives. Women like Matron Betsy Deen, who are at the heart of this mission.

Read her story: https://t.co/vNcfZBKaIC

#IWD2025