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Imagine being the only neurosurgeon in a country of over 8 million people. No backup. Limited equipment. Families raising money before life-saving surgery can begin. That is Dr. Alieu Kamara’s daily reality in Sierra Leone.

In this episode, Dr. Kamara shares how growing up during the civil war shaped him, why he left a secure post abroad to return home, and what it takes to make life-or-death decisions when resources are thin. We talk trauma care, CT access, weekends in the OR, training the next generation, and what kind of help would actually move the needle.

This conversation is not about outrage. It is about responsibility, courage, and practical ways to support care where it is most needed.

What we cover:

Being the only neurosurgeon in the country

Childhood during the civil war and the path to medicine

Training in China and the decision to return home

Daily workload, burnout risk, and mindset under pressure

Trauma, tumors, and what happens when patients cannot pay

Imaging, blood, and the long list of missing tools

Building capacity: CT installation, future C-arm, training plans

How international colleagues and organizations can help

Chapters (add timestamps after upload)

Intro
Civil war childhood
Training abroad and coming home
Life as the only neurosurgeon
Trauma care, imaging, and costs
Building a service and training others
How to help

About Dr. Allieu Kamara

Neurosurgeon, Connaught Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone. Focused on neurotrauma and building sustainable neurosurgical care in a low-resource setting.

How to support

Interested clinicians: short volunteer stints, case discussion, remote consults

Donors and partners: consumables, imaging support, instruments, C-arm, training funds