By Janet A Sesay
The Government of the People’s Republic of China has through their Ministry of Defense donated medical equipment to the Government of Sierra Leone (GOSL) to help save lives in the COVID-19 pandemic fight.
Addressing a news conference yesterday at the 34 Military Hospital conference hall at Wilberforce, Freetown, Lt. Col. Dr. Silver Leigh, who is Head of Joint Military Medical Unit, said the good gesture of China to Sierra Leone is not a new phenomenon in terms of the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
Lt. Col. Dr. Silver Leigh explained the long-standing relationship between the GoSL and the People’s Republic of China spanning from 1971, particularly in the country’s health and civil sectors, as well as the defense.
He cited the conference hall, where the news conference was held, as one of the structures built by the Chinese people, noting that it is managed jointly with the Chinese Military and the Republic of Sierra Leone Arm Forces (RSLAF).
The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, He Hu Zhangliang described the ceremony as great, saying that the donation was coming from the Ministry of Defense in China to the Ministry of Defense in Sierra Leone, noting that the donation epitomizes the cordial relationship. He assured that the donation will help in the COVID 19 pandemic fight in the country.
The Chinese Ambassador recalled how China has supplied six rounds of medical equipment to Sierra Leone, adding that other rounds are on their way to the country. He assured that the People’s Republic of China will continue standing side-by-side with Sierra Leone.
The Ambassador recalled how the President of the People’s Republic of China in his recent speech said the world was facing a very serious issue, but solidarity and cooperation should be at the top in fighting this virus, and that China has done everything on their part to support other countries in need.
The donation included 600, 000 KM masks, 50 boxes of gloves, 3, 000 protective gears, 4,000 medical equipment, 3, 000 protective clothes, 20 Nexus disinfected spray and other types of equipment.
The Sierra Leone Minister of Defense, Brig. (Rtd) Kellie Hassan Conteh expressed thanks and appreciation to the Chinese Government for their kind gesture, stating that the relationship between the two countries has lasted for 50 years. He said Sierra Leone is a very small country but very proud of her relationship with China.
The Defense Minister reiterated that China has been very supportive of Sierra Leone in terms of agriculture, infrastructure, hydro energy, healthcare system and other sectors.
He recalled that when the country was struck by the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic, China was the only country that supported Sierra Leone in both funds and medical personnel to help fight the virus and everything went successfully.
The Minister furthered recalled that on 17th December 2019, China and Sierra Leone signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that helped to broaden the ties between their Ministry of Defense and the Sierra Leone Ministry of Defense.
Whilst Brig. (Rtd) Conteh assured the Chinese Ambassador of judiciously using the donated medical equipment for their intended purpose, he however lamented that they are still grappling with some constraints in the COVID-19 fight, such as the deplorable conditions of many health facilities in the country.
The Minister of Defence therefore pleaded with the Chinese Ambassador and other development partners to help strengthen the country’s health sector.