Dr. Samuel Kargbo is the director of Health Systems, Policy, Planning and Information in the in Ministry of Health & Sanitation of Sierra Leone. His present responsibility is to oversee the planning and monitoring the implementation of the post Ebola recovery strategy and building of a resilient health system. Prior to that, he oversaw the establishment of the Reproductive & Child Health Directorate in 2008, and since, has actively planned the inception and implementation of free health care for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under five. Dr. Kargbo has championed free health care in Sierra Leone, introduced policies and strategies to improve maternal and child health services and by extension, the citizenry of the country. He has also championed the introduction of the Basic Package of Essential Health Services a document that provides the operational dimensions of the Reproductive Newborn and Child Health strategy. His work continues to contribute significantly to processes for maternal, newborn and child health services in Sierra Leone. He is also a part-time lecturer in Global Health at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences. He was recognized and awarded a Honorary Doctor of Medicine (DMed) degree by the University of Leeds, UK. He is a member of numerous global health organizations including the International Health Partnerships for Universal Health Coverage (UHC2030). Dr. Kargbo feels he owes his country a lot for receiving government scholarships to complete his education right from high school and through to medical school. He is what he is today because of what his country has given him.
