Freetown Residents Receive Free Health Screening from Davidson Nicol Medical Foundation

By Marilyn King
In a bid to promote better health and raise awareness about common lifestyle diseases, the Davidson Nicol Medical Foundation (DNMF) over the weekend organized a free medical screening and treatment exercise at its hospital located at Cole Farm in Freetown. The outreach targeted residents suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, and other non-communicable diseases.
The initiative attracted more than 200 residents, many of whom expressed gratitude for the opportunity to receive professional medical attention and medication at no cost.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Sylvester Nicol, Proprietor and Medical Director of the Davidson Nicol Medical Center, said the foundation was established to honor the late Dr. Davidson Nicol, one of Sierra Leone’s most distinguished physicians, scientists, and diplomats.
Dr. Nicol explained that the foundation is deeply rooted in community service and aims to raise awareness, advocate for preventive healthcare, and provide treatment for some of the most common yet often neglected health conditions in Sierra Leone.
“We decided to name the foundation after the late Dr. Davidson Nicol, whose legacy continues to inspire medical excellence and public service,” Dr. Nicol said. “This foundation is community-based. We are here to educate people, screen them for high blood pressure, diabetes, and other conditions, and help them understand why early diagnosis and consistent treatment are so important.”
According to Dr. Nicol, many Sierra Leoneans suffer silently from hypertension and diabetes because they are unaware of their health status. He noted that complications from such conditions — including heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure — often develop over time and can be prevented if patients are diagnosed early.
“The tragedy is that people live for years with hypertension or diabetes without knowing it,” he said. “By the time they seek help, the damage has already been done. That’s why we’re focusing on screening, education, and early intervention.”
He disclosed that studies indicate about 40 percent of Sierra Leonean adults suffer from hypertension, a figure he described as alarming. Dr. Nicol therefore called on government, private institutions, and development partners to support the foundation’s work in expanding access to regular screening, treatment, and public education campaigns.
“Our next step is advocacy and education,” he continued. “We want to reach every corner of Sierra Leone with this message — that your health is your greatest wealth. We cannot fight diseases like hypertension and diabetes without awareness and early action.”
Several beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the foundation’s efforts.
Madam Stella Mansaray, a resident of the community, said she was grateful for the opportunity to receive medical care free of charge.
“I am very happy about this program,” she said. “The doctors treated us well, explained our health conditions clearly, and even gave us free medicine. Now I know my health status and will take my medication seriously.”
Another resident, Alhaji Sillah, said the experience was an eye-opener.
“I didn’t expect to be treated for free,” he admitted. “Now that I know my condition, I will be more careful about my health. I encourage others to get checked — it’s better to know early than to suffer later.”
He also appealed to other private hospitals to emulate the Davidson Nicol Medical Foundation’s initiative, noting that many Sierra Leoneans cannot afford regular hospital visits.
The free screening and treatment program is part of DNMF’s ongoing community outreach, which Dr. Nicol said will continue annually as part of the foundation’s mission to empower Sierra Leoneans to take control of their health and reduce preventable deaths from non-communicable diseases.
“This is more than just a medical exercise,” Dr. Nicol concluded. “It’s a movement to build healthier communities and a stronger nation.”
The Davidson Nicol Medical Foundation was launched earlier this year to promote healthcare access, research, and education in Sierra Leone in honor of the late Dr. Davidson Nicol’s remarkable legacy in medicine, science, and diplomacy.