By The Prowess
A group of Spanish medical professionals from Marbella, in the Andalusia region of Spain, has provided a wave of relief to dozens of Sierra Leoneans through a week-long humanitarian medical mission at the Caritas Christ the King Hospital in Waterloo, Western Area Rural District.
Comprising urologists, anaesthesiologists, and nurses, the visiting team offered free specialized surgeries and treatments to patients suffering from urological conditions such as urethral strictures, prostate complications, hydroceles, and chronic urinary tract infections, ailments that often go untreated in Sierra Leone due to limited access to specialist care.
According to hospital staff, the mission marked one of the most significant urological interventions in the country in recent years. Many patients had been living with painful or debilitating conditions for years, unable to afford treatment or access the necessary expertise locally.
Ishmael Alfred Charles, Programs Manager, Caritas Freetown, said he is truly overjoyed by this inspiring partnership with the dedicated urology doctors from Marbella, and that their compassion and expertise have brought hope and healing to so many during his visit as Programs Manager of Caritas Freetown.
“The transformative care they provided has not only changed lives but also renewed our collective spirit of service and solidarity. We are deeply grateful.” He said.
Parents and caregivers of patients expressed deep gratitude, some overcome with emotion. “We had lost hope,” said one father whose teenage son underwent a successful hydrocele operation. “We are so thankful to the doctors who came all the way from Spain to help people they don’t even know.”
The team’s work extended beyond the operating theatre. They also supported local healthcare workers with technical guidance and offered consultations to dozens of patients with untreated or undiagnosed conditions.
Medical missions like this one are increasingly critical in Sierra Leone’s health sector, which continues to recover from systemic strain, workforce shortages, and infrastructural challenges. Caritas Christ the King Hospital, which hosted the outreach, praised the initiative as a testament to international solidarity and compassion in global healthcare.
A detailed report highlighting the scope of surgeries, number of patients treated, and future collaboration plans is expected from the hospital and the Spanish medical team in the coming weeks.
