Career background:
Osman Koroma is a dedicated public health professional with extensive experience in program coordination, research, and community health work. He has a strong academic background and a demonstrated commitment to improving health outcomes, particularly in challenging contexts such as Sierra Leone.
His professional journey includes serving as a Health Program Officer at GOAL Sierra Leone, where he successfully coordinated the planning, development, and implementation of UNICEF’s Community Led Action Program in the Tonkolili District. Through his leadership, Osman facilitated the training and deployment of community mobilizers, fostering strong relationships with stakeholders and ensuring community access to essential health services.
As a Research Assistant at Sun Yat-sen University in China, Osman contributed to a Health and Migration Program by collecting and organizing data on Migrant Health Policy. He demonstrated his analytical skills by refining analysis grids and identifying core themes.
Earlier in his career, Osman worked as a Community Mobilizer and Community Health Worker at the Tonkolili District Health Management Team, where he educated communities on disease prevention, conducted surveillance, and reported maternal health data. His commitment to community engagement and health development projects helped empower communities and improve health outcomes in the district.
Osman holds an MSc in Public Health from Tsinghua University in China, where his research focused on job satisfaction among community health workers in Ebola-affected areas. He also obtained an MA in Public Administration from Sun Yat-sen University, where he assessed the impact of the Free Health Care Policy in Sierra Leone. With a Bachelor’s degree in Arts from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, Osman combines academic excellence with practical field experience.
In addition to his academic achievements, Osman has published a notable research article titled “Community health workers’ job satisfaction in Ebola-stricken areas of Sierra Leone and its implication for COVID-19 containment: a cross-sectional mixed-methods study” in the journal BMJ Open. This publication showcases his research skills and contributions to understanding the challenges faced by community health workers in the context of public health emergencies.
Overall, Osman Koroma is a highly motivated and accomplished public health professional with a diverse skill set in program coordination, research, project management, and community engagement.
Role in CRIBS:
In my role as a Health Policy Research Assistant, I made significant contributions to the design, delivery, and coordination of the Maternal Health Research Group (CRIBS) Policy Lab on Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia in Sierra Leone. This involved bringing together diverse stakeholders to discuss and develop ideas and approaches aimed at improving outcomes related to pre-eclampsia.
I actively facilitated discussions among stakeholders, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment to ensure diverse perspectives were considered. Through these discussions, we generated new insights and strategies that had the potential to bring about positive changes in the field of maternal health.
In addition, I played a vital role in the development of briefing materials that focused specifically on Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia, which were designed to inform policymakers and guide decision-making processes. These materials provided a comprehensive overview of the issues at hand and presented evidence-based recommendations for policy interventions.
To support the analysis of the Policy Lab’s output, I provided valuable assistance. This involved collecting, organizing, and analyzing data generated during the Lab, enabling the identification of key findings and insights that could inform policy development and implementation.
Recognizing the importance of raising awareness about pre-eclampsia, I coordinated media engagements on both TV and radio platforms. These engagements were aimed to reach a broader audience and disseminate important information about pre-eclampsia, its risks, and available interventions. By utilizing the media, we sought to generate public interest and promote informed discussions surrounding this critical maternal health issue.
Furthermore, I was part of a dedicated team responsible for organizing screenings of a pre-eclampsia docu-drama in universities and communities across Sierra Leone. This docu-drama was developed based on the insights and recommendations derived from the Policy Lab. Through these screenings, we were able reach over 1,000 people.
Something about your CRIBS experience:
As an individual passionate about translating and utilizing research evidence to inform health policies and programs, I am extremely pleased with the invaluable experience I gained while working with CRIBS. Their commitment to improving maternal healthcare delivery in Sierra Leone through evidence-based policy formulation and intervention programs is commendable. Being part of the team as a Health Policy Research Assistant provided me with an exciting opportunity to contribute to effective health policy in Sierra Leone by offering evidence-based support to local and national policymakers.
I am delighted to have had the opportunity to participate in the Policy Lab, and I must say it was my first experience being involved in such a process that aims to bring evidence closer to public policymaking. Within the realm of maternal health research, the CRIBS Policy Lab on Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia in Sierra Leone played a pivotal role in generating innovative ideas and strategies to tackle the pressing challenges in this field. By actively engaging stakeholders from civil society, the community, health workers, and politicians, the Policy Lab ensured a comprehensive and holistic approach to policy development. Through well-facilitated discussions, stakeholders were able to draw upon their diverse knowledge and insights, resulting in the development of evidence-based policy recommendations.
Overall, my time with CRIBS as a Health Policy Research Assistant has been a gratifying journey, allowing me to contribute to the advancement of maternal health in Sierra Leone through evidence-based policy approaches. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of a team that is dedicated to improving the lives of women and families by championing evidence-based interventions and shaping policies that truly make a difference.
Something personal:
My future ambition is to pursue a fulfilling career as a health researcher. Building upon the experience I have already acquired, my goal is to conduct independent research, publish significant findings, and actively contribute to evidence-based policy formulation and intervention programs aimed at improving health outcomes. By focusing on research, I aim to make a meaningful impact in the field of public health by generating valuable insights, advancing knowledge, and providing evidence-based recommendations to shape effective policies and programs. I am driven by a strong passion for promoting evidence-informed decision-making and contributing to the overall well-being of individuals and communities.