A member of the 26th batch of the Chinese medical team in Sierra Leone provides medical consultations for a child with tetanus in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on Aug. 21, 2025. (The 26th batch of the Chinese medical team to Sierra Leone/Handout via Xinhua)
Chinese doctors bring healthcare to Sierra Leone despite challenges they faced include the shortage of medicines, unstable water and power supply, as well as cultural and language barriers.
FREETOWN, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- "The child arrived in critical condition, exhibiting intense sensitivity to light and sound, along with frequent convulsions," recalled Huang Yunjun, a pediatric specialist with the 26th batch of the Chinese medical team in Sierra Leone.
Huang shared a poignant story about a 6-year-old girl admitted to the hospital with tetanus during an interview with Xinhua on Thursday.
"We diagnosed her immediately, but the biggest challenge was securing the scarce tetanus antitoxin," he recounted. Through meticulous coordination, the medical team managed to procure the medication just in time. After undergoing active treatment and receiving attentive care, the child has shown marked improvement.
However, the shortage of medicines was not the only challenge the medical team faced. Liu Longfei, chief of the medical team, noted the limitations posed by the local healthcare environment after landing in Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital, in early March, including an unstable water and power supply, as well as cultural and language barriers.
Members of the 26th batch of the Chinese medical team in Sierra Leone perform a surgery for a local patient in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on June 12, 2025. (The 26th batch of the Chinese medical team to Sierra Leone/Handout via Xinhua)
Despite these obstacles, Chinese doctors successfully addressed internal medicine cases, performed general surgeries, and provided specialized care in obstetrics and pediatrics.
The medical team has completed more than 10,000 medical treatments since arrival, including nearly 100 highly challenging surgical operations and over 100 emergency rescues. The types of surgeries performed span various fields, including general surgery, orthopedics, and obstetrics and gynecology. Their broad expertise allows them to meet diverse medical challenges.
"We will continue to improve specialized medical care and emergency treatment capabilities," said Liu. "The Chinese people will always stand with the Sierra Leonean people on their journey to health."
Echoing these sentiments, Fanta Jalloh, mother of the 6-year-old patient, voiced her gratitude. "I am so thankful to the Chinese doctors for restoring my daughter's life," she said, expressing her belief that the relationship between the two countries will continue to flourish.
A member of the 26th batch of the Chinese medical team in Sierra Leone teaches a training course on traditional Chinese medicine techniques in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on June 26, 2025. (The 26th batch of the Chinese medical team to Sierra Leone/Handout via Xinhua)
Training and knowledge transfer are also foundational aspects for the medical team. Describing their educational efforts, Liu said, "It's better to teach people to fish than to give them fish." Through daily mentorship, lectures, and skill-training workshops, the team ensures that vital knowledge remains within the local healthcare system.
According to Liu, the medical team also organizes free clinics and health campaigns in communities and welfare centers, delivering services and medicines to those most in need, which have received overwhelmingly positive responses.
A member of the 26th batch of the Chinese medical team in Sierra Leone performs fundus examinations for a local orphan at the Saint George Foundation Children's Welfare Institute in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on June 16, 2025. (The 26th batch of the Chinese medical team to Sierra Leone/Handout via Xinhua)
Local doctors and nurses have lauded the high-level collaboration with the Chinese medical professionals. Many describe it as not only educational but also pivotal in strengthening the overall health sector in the West African country.
"The partnership we have established is transformative," Abdul Bah, chief of surgery of Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital, commented. "It has opened up new avenues for learning and improved healthcare delivery."
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