By Abu Bakarr Kargbo
The 24th Batch of China’s Medical Team to Sierra Leone donated medical equipment and medicines to the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital in Freetown on Friday 2nd June 2023. The medicines cover oral and intravenous medications, including antibiotics, cardiovascular systems, digestive systems, respiratory systems, and nervous systems; Consumables include infusion sets, blood collection needles, disinfectant, gloves, masks and hats, gynecological delivery kits, various puncture kits, etc. The equipment covers a sphygmomano meter, electric aspirator, expectoration machines, sprayer, electrocardiograph, and other essential equipment.
“In addition to material support, according to the Protocol between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone on Dispatching a Medical Team from China to serve in Sierra Leone, our greatest support for the hospital is technical support,” says Dr. Chen Yong jun, Team Leader of the Chinese Medical Team and added that the medicines and equipment cost over 300, 000 RMB and a total of nearly 1 million New Leones.
“I remember the director of the emergency department of the hospital told me that there was an urgent need for an electrocardiogram machine, which was an essential tool for emergency diagnosis and treatment,” Dr. Chen remarked and furthered that this current batch of the medical team has sent a total of 21 members, covering multiple disciplines such as internal medicine, external medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, etc. Since 1973, he said China has sent its first medical team to help Sierra Leone. “Over the past 50 years, it has sent 24 batches of 363 medical team members, treating a large number of local patients and training local medical staff. This batch of medical team members has been in Sierra Leone for nearly three months, and all medical work has been carried out comprehensively and orderly,” the Team Leader said.
China’s 24th batch of medical teams is observing the 50th Anniversary of China Dispatching the First Medical Team to Sierra Leone and the 60th Anniversary of dispatching the first Chinese medical team to Africa.
The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Wang Qing, said the donation is part of the excellent relations between the two countries, adding that China has been supporting the development of Sierra Leone’s health sector. For the past fifty years, the Ambassador said Chinese Medical Teams had taken the best doctors and medical equipment to Sierra Leone and that since 1973, over 5000 local medical staff have been trained and over 800, 000 people have been treated.
“We are making major contributions to the health sector, with many successful stories. China also has other cooperation with Sierra Leone in other areas like the China Center for Disease Control (China CDC),” said and assured that China will continue to support the Jui Friendship Hospital.
Director of Ambulance Services in Sierra Leone’s Health Ministry, Dr. Matthew Vandi thanked the Chinese for the medical supplies and also the education support to the nation as thousands of Sierra Leoneans have benefited a lot over the years. The Chinese Medical Team, he said provided what he referred to as the hospital on the wheel, which is taking the hospital to the people.
Dr. Vandi thanked them for making Sierra Leone get a very good diagnostic service. The donated items, he said will help take good care of the sick people. He appealed to the Chinese to help in the refurbishment of the Jui Friendship Hospital. “This will help to implement the potential of the hospital. We also need equipment to upkeep the hospital to modern standards,” he said.
Medical Superintendent, of Sierra Leone – China Friendship Hospital, Dr. Sarah Conteh revealed that her local members of staff have enjoyed working with the current Chinese doctors since they arrived. “We are grateful for the swift support of the Chinese for the supply of drugs and consumables,” she said and assured that the supplies will be used for their intended purpose. Dr. Conteh thanked the Medical Team for training local hospital staff on how to respond to emergency situations. “The hospital facility needs your care and support,” she said and promised that they will work together to make the facility what it is supposed to be. Asked that they get an electricity supply to the hospital to enable them to respond adequately to medical services.
