Speaking at the launching ceremony on Friday November 25, 2016 at the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Hospital Jui in the outskirt of Freetown, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Wu Peng described the event as another historic symbol of the friendship between China and Sierra Leone.

He observed that during the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, China was the first country to respond to President Koroma’s call for international support, and reiterated his government’s commitment to provide assistance to the country’s Post Ebola programme and the President’s Recovery Priorities towards building a resilient health system.

The Envoy noted the very many people suffering from eye problem in Sierra Leone and underscored the importance of them to regain their sight.

He expressed optimism for the successfully implementation of the project in restoring the peoples’ sight, adding that the long standing bilateral cordial relationship between the two countries would continue to make history for the friendly and resourceful partnership.

Health and Sanitation Minister, Dr. Abu Bakarr Fofanah enumerated China’s outstanding infrastructural support to Sierra Leone in terms of buildings, roads, agriculture and other economic development, He cited among others the National Stadium, Youyi Building, the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s complex, the jui Hospital and the newly constructed Regent-Grafton road.

He cited numerous economic and social developments in the country by China, disclosing that plans are also underway for China to construct a brand new Ministry of Health Headquarter building at the Central Medical Stores site, an ultra-modern Laboratory and have donated 300 million RMB for the establishment of a West African Tropical Disease Institute in Sierra Leone.

Dr. Fofanah recalled China’s support at the wake of the Ebola during the clarion call for international support by President Koroma with China being the first country to jet in the fastest Bowen 474 plane with cargo and personnel providing 40 Ambulances and Specialist Medical team, and left behind a legacy of an ultra-modern Bio-Chemistry Laboratory at the China-Sierra Leone Friendship hospital in Jui.

The Minister also catalogued the support in building human resource capacity through numerous training programmes in China including post graduate and noted the transfer of knowledge towards building a resilient health system countrywide.

Sierra Leone’s support to the UN for China, he said has never wavered and will never waiver, adding that the over 40 years relationship would continue to grow from strength to strength.

Highlights of the ceremony include testimonies by patients who regained their sights after surgery: These include Mr. Dominic Simbo, Programme Manager, Non-Formal Primary Education Programme, Adult Education House, Sierra Leone, Retired Engineer, Guma Valley Water Company, Mr. Abdul S. K. Thomas and Madam Rabiatu Fofanah, and a conducted tour of various facilities in the hospital.

Photo: Credit Kadrie Koroma