Davidson Nicol Medical Foundation

About Us

Our History

Davidson Sylvester Hector Willoughby Nicol CMG was a doctor from Sierra Leone. Nicol made substantial contributions to the field of diabetes research with his studies of the body’s breakdown of insulin. He was the first to study how insulin is metabolised in the human body, a finding that revolutionised the way diabetes is treated.

The foundation is named in memory of his work and commitment to health sciences in Sierra Leone and the sub-region.

Mission

“To engage communities through health outreach, education and advocacy. To deliver programmes that address acute and chronic illnesses in Sierra Leone including communicable and non-communicable diseases.”

Vision

“To improve health outcomes and enhance the socio-economic status of the citizens of Sierra Leone”.

Background

Sierra Leone is a small country on the West Coast of Africa. It shares a border with Guinea to the north and Liberia to the South. It has a population of around 8 million with 60% of the population below the age of 35. The mainstay of the economy is agriculture, fisheries and mining. These are mostly done at subsistence level. The country has one of the largest natural harbours in the world.

Sierra Leone has had a turbulent recent history with a devastating civil war, epidemics (Ebola Viral Disease and COVID 19) and environmental degradation with resultant floods and fires. Sierra Leone has recently been recognized by the United Nations as the third most vulnerable country to the effects of climate change. These factors have resulted in an increase in poverty and food insecurity and worsening of some health indices.

Sierra Leone has had a history of high maternal and infant mortality rates (717 mothers dying annually for every 100 000 live births as of 2019 (DHS, 2019)). Life expectancy in Sierra Leone is amongst the lowest in the world.

We also continue to grapple with high rates of HIV, TB and Malaria. There has also been a rise in non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) such as diabetes and hypertension especially in the urban areas.