The team leader of the 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team working in the Jui hospital, Dr. Shawn, has already signed a letter of intent on establishing a cooperation mechanism between the National Health Commission of China and Ministry of Health and Sanitation of the Republic of Sierra Leone that will see the Sierra Leone-China Friendship hospital in Jui become one of the 30 Africa-China pair-up hospitals with Xiangya hospital, which is one of the top hospitals in China.
He said they will construct a telemedicine platform between China and Sierra Leone, build medical centres specialising in common diseases, and strengthen scientific research and education in the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital.
He said many other countries are enjoying such partnership that has developed their health systems and he is hoping that it will be the same for the Jui hospital.
Dr Shawn averred that they would like to see the hospital performing major operations and try to treat many Sierra Leoneans that go to Ghana and India for treatment.
“We have an excellent medical staff including infectious disease physician, emergency and ICU physician, cardiologist, general surgeon, orthopedist, obstetrician, gynecologist, ophthalmologist, Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor, pediatrician, radiologist, ultrasound physician, ER and ICU nurse, operation nurse and laboratory workers. All of them are currently working to help combat the coronavirus that is ravaging the world.”
He said these corps of medical experts are experienced in clinical, teaching and scientific research. The infectious disease physician and ICU nurse who had been sent to fight against COVID-19 for more than two months at Wuhan in early 2020 have been instrumental in the fight at Jui hospital.
“In order to combat COVID-19 and assist local medical staff, our government sent us to the Republic of Sierra Leone, which is a very beautiful country. Since arriving in Sierra Leone on September 18th 2020, we’ve made great effort to better build and develop the healthcare work so as to better serve the people of Sierra Leone.”
Dr Shawn said they formulated a manual for COVID-19 prevention and control, carried out various medical training including the treatment of COVID-19, the operation of ventilators, how to use PPE, hand hygiene, etc. At the same time, they continue to focus on the diagnosis and treatment of common diseases in Sierra Leone such as malaria, typhoid, hepatitis, painful diseases, etc.
“We also communicated and coordinated with National Health Commission of China, and donated a large number of medical supplies including three ventilators and 10 oxygen generators, five electrocardiographs, five oximeters, and a large number of protective equipment and drugs in December 2020.”
He called on all health workers across the country to make concerted effort to protect the life and health of Sierra Leoneans, and work together to improve their wellbeing.