Reps of YouBest Biotechnology, Gemstar Pharmacy and health institutions 

YouBest, a leading biotechnology company in China, and Gemstar Pharmacy, a leading importer of pharmaceutical products in Sierra Leone, have entered into an official partnership to improve frontline diagnostics and advance infectious diseases detection in Africa with high-quality portable, reliable and affordable modern diagnostic machines which are expected to transform traditional diagnostics into a more sophisticated, timely and user-friendly tools for speedy detection of infectious diseases and prompt life-saving.

The partnership was officially publicly disclosed at the Frontline Diagnostics for Advancing Infectious Disease Detection in Africa Conference held at the Family Kingdom Resort in Freetown, Sierra Leone, from 13th to 14th November 2025. The Conference brought together high-profile health professionals from the Ministry of Health and top public and private health facilities and academic institutions to brainstorm on the challenges around diagnostics and the importance of the groundbreaking products manufactured by YouBest in China and supplied in West Africa by Gemstar, a leading Sierra Leonean pharmaceutical supplier.

In his welcoming remark, Dr Ibrahima Seaga Shaw, the Chair of the Conference Committee and YouBest Country Representative, said the biotechnological products have been tested to be of high standards and potency, saying the introduction of the products in the market marks a new dawn in diagnostics not just in Sierra Leone but the whole of Africa, adding that the Conference reflects a shared vision to strengthen Africa’s healthcare through capacity building and collaboration.

“Across our continent [Africa], one of the major weaknesses in healthcare remains modern clinical diagnostic technologies. At YouBest Biotechnology, we are deeply committed to closing this gap. Our biotechnologies and quick rapid tests enable doctors to accurately detect bacterial infections at the point of care, supporting responsive low antibiotic use and better patient management. We have already completed technical and certification trainings on the use of the said technologies at Connaught Hospital in Freetown and the Kenema Government Hospital in Kenema. As we hope to expand, these hospitals will serve as reference sights to support clinical validation and local trials of the products. The report they generate would then be shared with health professionals,” he explained.

Dr Kamel Negim of Freetown International Hospital contributing to the conference

On behalf of the Conference Committee, Dr Seaga Shaw appreciated and thanked the Gemstar Pharmacy under the leadership of Alhaji Ahmed Shaw for their partnership and efforts in bringing the biotechnological innovations to the Sierra Leone health community, He also appreciated the YouBest Biotechnology in China, the Government of Sierra Leone and everyone who have made the Conference and the products coming to Sierra Leone and Africa a reality.

“We in Sierra Leone are very lucky because we are the first nation to experience these products after China,” he noted while calling on all concerning stakeholders in the health sector to support the initiative.

Idea sharing on how YouBest products can boost the health sector

Making a statement, Alhaji Ahmed Shaw, the CEO of Gemstar Pharmacy, said quick diagnosis saves lives and also save doctors time, assuring that the partnership between his pharmaceutical outfit and YouBest in China speaks to achieving quick and accurate diagnosis relevant in this modern era.

“I have been into business for over 30 years; and during these times, I have learnt that success is not just about numbers or profits but rather it is about people. It is about building trust and helping others and contributing something meaningful to society. This has always been and shall always be at the heart of Gemstar Pharmacy,” he said.

The CEO of Gemstar Pharmacy assured everyone that the powerful biotechnological products from YouBest, of which his pharmacy is the sole dealer in Sierra Leone and West Africa, would be reasonable for health facilities to afford to improve healthcare and save lives.

Owing to the importance of the Conference and the groundbreaking products, His Excellency Dr Abu Bakar Karim, the Ambassador of Sierra Leone to China, made a video prerecorded statement which was played at the Conference.

Dr Karim registered that the Conference and the products represent shared vision to strengthen healthcare system, especially diagnostic capacity in Sierra Leone and Africa in general, noting that the strong bilateral relationship between Sierra Leone and China has yielded great dividend in many areas, including the health sector.

Ambassador Karim emphasized that Sierra Leone fully understands and know the importance of early diagnosis and rapid response, drawing experiences from the Ebola and COVID19 outbreaks.

Conference Chair and YouBest rep Dr Ibrahim Seaga Shaw and team

The two-day conference featured panel and roundtable discussions on the following themes: how can medical doctors leverage new diagnostic technologies to improve infectious detection and patient’s outcomes in Africa; Empowering frontline doctors and the role of Point of Care Test (POCT) in hospitals; and Traditional testing for diagnosis vs POCT.

The conference also featured a comprehensive YouBest workshop, facilitated by Dr Sisi Luo from YouBest in China and Pharmacist Denis Conteh of Gemstar Pharmacy in Sierra Leone. The workshop presented a training on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of YouBest HBP, HLN and Pepsin. The Master of Ceremony for the whole conference was Dr Baimba Rogers of Satus Medical and Laboratory Services, Pademba Road Freetown. The conference also hosted technial panel discussions and roundtables with diverse participation from medical doctors, lab scientists, pharmacists, health policy makers and researchers from all over the country.

The climax of the conference was the business and certification signing session featuring the free on Loan Devices Agreement between Gemstar and the corresponding hospitals, YouBest SOP Certificates and the issuance of certificates and gift bags to the participants of the conference.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 19th November 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)