Sierra Leone has taken a significant step towards improving healthcare in the country with the symbolic inauguration of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Center, the first of its kind in Sierra Leone. This groundbreaking event, supported by the China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Deputy Minister of Health in Sierra Leone, is a major milestone in the deepening of medical knowledge and cooperation between the two nations.
The establishment of the TCM Center follows the successful completion of a three-month community health investigation project targeting prevalent health issues in Sierra Leone, particularly hypertension and chronic pain, conditions with a notably high prevalence among local residents. During the project, free acupuncture therapy services were provided to thousands of community members across five key areas in Freetown: Lumpa, Old School, Rogbangba, Mombo, and Tombo. The project aimed to assess the efficacy of acupuncture in treating these health challenges, with remarkable results.
Dr. You Xiong, who led the investigation, reported that a total of 12,900 acupuncture treatments were conducted during the initiative, using over 250,000 acupuncture needles. The project included a comprehensive clinical ethics review and international clinical trial registration, involving approximately 320 participants in both treatment and control groups. The study demonstrated the potential effectiveness of acupuncture for managing hypertension and chronic pain, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants 95% male and 99% female.
Secretary Ding Jian from the Human Provincial Rehabilitation Hospital in China highlighted that President Bio’s support for the China Medical Team reflected the long-standing relationship between China and Sierra Leone, a partnership that has flourished over more than 50 years. The successful collaboration has benefited over 10,000 patients and is expected to continue fostering mutual cooperation in healthcare.
During the inauguration, Deputy Director of the Hunan Provincial Health Commission, Chang Shi, noted that the establishment of the TCM Center is a vivid representation of China-Africa cooperation, aligning with the spirit of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. He expressed heartfelt congratulations and appreciation for the partnership, emphasizing the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine, simple, cost-effective, and accessible. With support from the Hunan Provincial Health Commission, the center has expanded significantly, growing from a small consultation room to a full-fledged medical facility with advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment, enhancing its capacity to serve the community.
The center is also contributing to the education and training of local medical personnel. In collaboration with the International Medical University of Sierra Leone, the center has introduced the first higher education specialty in Chinese medicine within West Africa. This initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of Chinese medicine professionals in Sierra Leone, furthering the integration of traditional Chinese medicine with local medical practices.
Furthermore, the center’s activities are not limited to treatment but also extend to research, including identifying local health issues like monkeypox and providing critical responses during outbreaks. The TCM initiative has significantly enhanced the local healthcare system, improving access and quality of services for Sierra Leone’s population.
Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation of Sierra Leone, Dr. Charles Senessie, emphasized the full support from President Bio for the center’s establishment. He noted that the center would play a key role in advancing Sierra Leone’s healthcare system and improving healthcare delivery across the country’s 16 districts. Dr. Senessie praised the TCM initiative for training local medical personnel and sharing valuable medical knowledge.
The inauguration ceremony also included a heartfelt expression of gratitude from Dr. Umar Hassan Bangura, the community hospital representative, and elders from the Lumpa Community in Waterloo. They thanked the China Medical Team for their commitment to providing free TCM services to the people, underscoring the positive impact the center has had on the community.
The opening of the China-Sierra Leone Traditional Chinese Medicine Center marks a new chapter in China-Sierra Leone medical and health cooperation. The center is expected to continue making significant contributions to the health and well-being of Sierra Leone’s citizens, with ongoing efforts to expand TCM services and train more healthcare professionals. As China and Sierra Leone strengthen their partnership, the center’s establishment serves as a beacon of hope for improved healthcare and cultural exchange between the two nations.
