The in-country Program Coordinator is a key function that keeps our Surgical Training Program in Sierra Leone running from day to day. The Program Coordinator manages, develops and oversees the local organization, communicates with local stakeholders, teaches and monitors student progress, as well as provides patient care at Masanga Hospital. The loss of Wouter Nolet in November 2019 left a hole in our organization. In a period of turmoil and grief it was essential to quickly identify a competent and motivated replacement. CapaCare was lucky enough that Erik Wehrens was willing to accept the challenge. Erik had already been working at Masanga for 9 months supervising STP-students in wards and operating theaters. His intimate knowledge of the program, Masanga and the students made for an ideal transition during a very difficult time. Erik trained as doctor in Global Health and Tropical Medicine in the Netherlands and has previously worked with Medicines sans Frontiers(MSF) in South Sudan. We are confident that he will carry on Wouters legacy and continue our work towards strengthening the health system Sierra Leone.
