In a major step toward strengthening bilateral cooperation in healthcare and military medical services, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) Defence Medical Services (DMS), in collaboration with the 8th Chinese Military Medical Expert Group (CMMEG), officially launched a 24-week Continuous Medical Education (CME) Training Programme on Tuesday, 13 May 2025.
By Emma Black
The official launch ceremony was held at the Myohaung Officers’ Mess, Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown, and brought together top military officials, medical professionals, and diplomatic representatives.
The initiative, developed at the request of the RSLAF Chain of Command, reflects a broader vision to improve healthcare capacity within the military and extend benefits to the general public. Spearheaded by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Major General A.I. Bangura, the programme aims to enhance service delivery at the 34 Military Hospital and reinforce the longstanding partnership with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the CDS, Chief of General Staff, Brigadier General S.D.T. Ngaujah, praised the enduring Sierra Leone–China military and medical partnership, which he described as a testament to resilience, gratitude, and unwavering support.”
He acknowledged China’s pivotal role during Sierra Leone’s Ebola crisis, when swift Chinese intervention helped safeguard frontline workers, and highlighted how the partnership has since expanded well beyond emergency response.
China has become a vital pillar in strengthening the healthcare system of the Ministry of Defence and the RSLAF, Brigadier General Ngaujah said, their continuous collaboration and deployment of medical experts have significantly fortified our institutions.”
Among the notable achievements of the Sierra Leone–China partnership are the establishment of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Centre (IDPC) and the P2+ Laboratory, both housed at the 34 Military Hospital. These facilities have become central to the country’s capacity to detect and manage deadly diseases such as COVID-19, Marburg virus, and Mpox.
These are not just buildings they represent what two nations can achieve through shared vision and commitment, Brigadier General Ngaujah emphasized.
To date, China has deployed eight batches of military medical expert teams to Sierra Leone, providing mentorship, training, and life-saving donations that continue to improve the country’s health security, Senior Colonel Pu Lin, Defence Attaché at the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, commended the leadership of Major General A.I. Bangura and expressed his satisfaction with the deepening ties between the two militaries.
I am sincerely happy that RSLAF is guided by such outstanding leadership, said Senior Colonel Pu Lin. Strong medical systems are crucial for strong armies, he reaffirmed China’s long-term commitment to Sierra Leone, noting that the training programme was carefully designed to enhance the capacity of military medical personnel to serve both the armed forces and the civilian population, let us continue working together to build a brighter, healthier future, he concluded.
The six-month course, developed by Professor Fu-Sheng Wang, a distinguished Chinese infectious disease expert, will cover a broad spectrum of public health challenges, topics include Mpox, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis, cholera, and malaria, the training will blend in-person sessions with virtual lectures delivered by leading professors and medical professionals in China, an estimated 2,000 participants from across Sierra Leone’s military health sector are expected to benefit from the programme.
In support of the initiative, the People’s Liberation Army also donated essential medical supplies, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and specialized textbooks on infectious disease management, the donation was officially presented by Dr. Lei Shi during the ceremony.
The event concluded with statements from key stakeholders, reaffirming the strong friendship and strategic cooperation between Sierra Leone and China. As both nations continue to invest in health security and defence collaboration, this latest milestone sets the stage for even deeper engagement in the years ahead.
The 24-week continuous medical education training programme stands not only as a testament to partnership but also as a critical investment in the health, resilience, and readiness of Sierra Leone’s military and civilian populations.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 21st, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
