Opening ceremony with Sierra Leone military officers and Chinese embassy officials.   Photo: CMMEGSL

Johannesburg (People’s Daily) – After four months of work and planning, Chinese Military Medical Experts Group in Sierra Leone (CMMEGSL) along with the Joint Medical Unit (34 Military Hospital) celebrated the launch of a new disease clinic.An opening ceremony was held on November 9 with Chinese embassy representatives and high-ranking Sierra Leone military officials.

Team leader for CMMEGSL, Dr. Guo, discussed some of the project’s challenges.  Executive Director of the 34 Military Hospital, Dr. Sarh, expressed gratitude for the work conducted by CMMEGSL.

CMMEGSL worked on mudslide disaster relief, and medical services have been provided by the Chinese Ark Peace Hospital, and medical equipment donated by the Chinese government.

Deputy Chief of Staff of Joint Force Headquarters Colonel AI Bangura praised the contributions made by the Chinese Army in Sierra Leone, following the Ebola disaster. The Colonel expressed his wishes that the two sides could continue working together in the medical field in the future.

A facility inside the new advanced infectious disease clinic. Photo: CMMEGSL

After civil war violence ripped the country apart in 2002, Sierra Leone has remained one of the most distressed countries in the world. It still lacks medical infrastructure. This, coupled with a high rate of infectious diseases, causes harm to the citizens.

Chinese doctors first proposed the construction of an infectious diseases control center to enhance cooperation between the two nations, while helping to remedy medical issues.

Hospital equipment and medical supplies required to diagnois and treat disease have since arrivd. 

Chinese medical experts and doctors. Photo: CMMEGSL

The clinic will provide free medical service for soldiers, their families, and civilians suffering from diseases like malaria, typhoid, AIDS and hepatitis. The clinic will also serve as a base for infectious disease control and a training facility for local staff.  

The clinic is expected to become the most technologically advanced

disease center in Sierra Leone.

In 2014, West Africa experienced the largest Ebola virus outbreak ever recorded and claimed over 4,000 lives in Sierra Leone.

The Chinese government dispatched a 300-member medical team from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) to Sierra Leone. played an important role in fighting against Ebola virus.