Charity Information

Friends of Nixon Memorial Hospital, Segbwema, Sierra Leone is a registered charity no. 1145455.

Registered office:
Friends of Nixon Memorial Hospital, Segbwema, Sierra Leone
11a Denbigh Road,
London,
W11 2SJ,

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TRUSTEES

Photograph Dr Robert Burnie

Dr Rob Burnie (MBBCh, BSc, DRCOG) - Chairman

I am an Obstetrics & Gynecology trainee based in London. I undertook an elective placement at Nixon Hospital in 2010 part way through my medical degree at Cardiff University from where I graduated in 2011. After two years as a junior doctor in the NHS, I returned to Sierra Leone with my wife Janna to work at the hospital between August 2013 and June 2014. I facilitated essential emergency obstetrics training, oversaw developments in the hospital pharmacy and provided 24 hour clinical care.

Medical awards include the Joint Winner of the Dean's Prize (Intercalated BSc Programme), Dr John Swaffield Memorial Scholarship and South Wales Illeostomy Association Prize. Academic work has been published in a range of peer reviewed journals including "Medical Education" and "Journal of Public Health".

In addition I have previously worked with Non-governmental health and social organizations in Togo and South Africa and have a keen interest in international and maternal health and medical education.


Photograph of Robert Dixon

Robert Dixon - (Treasurer)

Upon leaving Agriculture College in 1969 I spent 2 years as a VSO in a Ghandian Leprosy Hospital and Colony in central India, where I was greatly inspired by the philosophy of Ghandi and the various forms of intermediate technology used to make the Colony self-reliant in food and clothing.

I then spent 6 years in the Northern Frontier District of Kenya starting a settlement scheme in the remote bushland for destitute Boran and Somali tribespeople which was part of the Methodist Church's mission to the country.

I went to Sierra Leone in 1979 where I continued the development of Tikonko Agriculture Extension Centre in Bo; there I introduced an Integrated Health and Agricultural Programme. This became a model for other churches in the country and I became Development Consultant to the United Christian Council. At CCSL I helped develop a nationwide comprehensive rural development programme. The war cut this exciting initiative short and I was forced to return to the UK. I met and married Hajiratu in Sierra Leone in 1994.

I retired from being Finance Officer at Notting Hill Methodist Church for the past 21 years. Now taking up hobbies and interests.


Photograph of Mary Groves

Mary C.P. Groves

Mary C.P. Groves, lived and worked in Sierra Leone as a doctor with her first husband, the Revd Sidney Groves ( of Sidney Groves Memorial Chuch, Kenema) Worked at the Nixon Memorial Hospital where 3 of their 4 children were born, then In Bunumbu, Sandaru, Penguia, establishing Clinics and Maternity work followed by Kenema where she was instrumental in setting up the Under Fives Clinic at the Govt. Hospital and helped to get the children's ward established. Re-visited in 1980 and with Colin in 2005
Photograph of Colin Rowe

Colin G Rowe

Colin G Rowe, retired Methodist Minister of long standing! Some years after the death of his first wife, Margaret, met and married Mary almost 15 years ago.; knew of her deep involvement in Sierra Leone . Spent 4 fantastic weeks there in 2005 in the company of the then President of the Methodist Church, the Revd Francis Nabieu including time at the Nixon Memorial Hospital all of which served to give him a little insight into the country's remarkable people and the immense challenges they face
Photograph of John Cochrane

Dr. John Cochrane

Retired G P, Worked at Nixon Memorial Hospital 1973 - 1976.

I have visited Nixon Memorial Hospital several times since the end of the civil war.

I am particularly interested in primary care and community health.

I have helped raise some funds for the 'Community Based Health Care Development Project' which aims to take health care and education out to the surrounding villages in the Segbwema area.


Photograph of Elizabeth Conteh

Elizabeth Conteh nee Faley

Elizabeth is from Kpendembu Njegbla,Njaluahun chiefdom.

Educated in Njaluahun Methodist Girls' Secondary school,Centennial Secondary school and National School of Nursing in Sierra Leone and a Public Health Nursing in Nigeria.

A Registered General Nurse, Midwife, Public Health Nurse, Orthopaedic and General surgical nurse, Discharge Advisor and has ward manager experience. (SRN,SCM,DIP PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING,ORTHPAEDIC NURSE CERTIFICATE and Bsc(Hons) in Public Health.

Worked in Sierra Leone as a nurse and Primary Health Care Co-ordinator For 12 years before migrating to United Kingdom where she has been working as a nurse for past 23 years.

Enjoys contributing to the development of health care in Sierra Leone and presently the Chair of The Sierra Leone Health Care Professionals Abroad(TOSHPA) whose members volunteer to give technical assistance, training, mentoring and cater for equipments for hospitals and nurse/medical instituitions in Sierra Leone.


Photograph of Sarjoh Aziz Kamara

Sarjoh Aziz Kamara (MBA, MSc, B.A. Hons. Dip)

Sarjoh is an indigene of Segbwema and was born at the Nixon Memorial Hospital in 1972 and attended primary school at Methodist School in Segbwema.

Sarjoh got involved in Friends of Nixon out of passion to support the health needs of the disavantaged communities of Segbwema (Njaluahun Chiefdom) and its environs. He has been an active member of the Njaluahun Descendants Union in UK through which they supported the hospital during the war years.

In the UK Sarjohh works as a community Development officer supporting Community Cohesion and Integration initiatives. He has worked in Sierra Leone as Capacity Building Manager supporting the resucitation of Local Councils for service delivery. Before this, he worked as Project Officer with a Non-Governmental organisation supporting war rehabilitation and reconstruction.

His professional interest is Community Development, Peace Building / Conflict Resolution, Capacity Building and Change Management.

He enjoys volunteering for good causes.

Photograph of Dr Ron Rhodes

Dr Ron Rhodes (MBChB 1982 DRCOG, DCH, MRCGP, F.P. Cert.)

General Practitioner. Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, UK

PRIME Tutor

I graduated from Manchester Medical School. I became a GP in 1986 and was the senior General Practitioner (GP) leading a multi-disciplinary Primary Health Care Team for 17 years. I was involved in GP training for a number of years before I resigned from full-time work in my practice in Nov 13. I am continuing to work as a locum GP in the UK.

I have been fortunate throughout my career to be able to take a number of periods of sabbatical leave from my practice. At these times I have worked as a medical doctor volunteering in Kenya and Sierra Leone.

Since 2011 I have become a trainer and West Africa Co-ordinator for "PRIME" ( www.prime-international.org ) a Christian medical education charity. In this capacity I have recently visited Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria (each on two occasions).

I first visited Nixon Hospital in Feb 2011 as a member of the Lancashire District Team of the Methodist Church and made a second visit in Feb and March 2014, when, accompanied by my wife Gill, I undertook medical duties. Gill, who trained as a nurse, but now works as a chiropodist, undertook some hands on training of nurses and theatre staff.

Dr Sarah Lever

I am a junior doctor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology working and living in London. I had the pleasure of visiting Nixon in 2010 as a medical student and with the Nixon staff helped to complete a needs assessment at that time.

I hope to continue to assist and support Nixon hospital through the FoN charity.

Photograph of Ken Kangafuai Lahai Sharka

Ken Kangafuai Lahai Sharka

Native born & bred in Faijia and moved to Scotland in 1973 after completing my Secondary school with a brief work at Cape Sierra.

Obtained B A (Hons) Econ & Pol. 1986 cant. and Msc Econometrics & Dev.1988 Birkbeck, University of London.

After graduating, I took up a training career in accountancy for 5 years with Hogg Robinson Financial & Property Management.

I got a job in the Local Government as a Finance & Revenue Officer, and was promoted to the position as a Deputy Manager.

I was invited to this organisation by Betty and have no regret ever since. For the first time that I have met a team of solutions focused, detailed analyst and enthusiastic team of professionals. This team is so proficient in planning, developing strategies, evaluating projects and that every time that we meet I always live with a wealth of new ideals and love for Segbwema.