By State House Communications Unit —
President Ernest Bai Korma has expressed delight over the supportive role the People’s Republic of China has played in the fight against the receding Ebola virus disease. The President made this commendation during a courtesy call of the Director General of the China’s National Health and Family Planning Commission Dr Ren Minghui at State House, Freetown.
President Koroma acknowledged the support China has been rendering to the country, emphasizing that China is indeed a true friend of Sierra Leone. With the completion of the P3 bio-safety lab, the president stated that most of what has been proposed by China is in line with the country’s post Ebola plans especially in the health sector. He expressed firm belief to have a disease control centre that will become a centre of excellence in not only in disease control and prevention but also in training, research and developing the capacity of Sierra Leoneans.
He observed that the lessons of the outbreak provided opportunities to respond adequately to any future outbreak, and added that the country should open a close link with the CDC in China to enhance the capacity of Sierra Leoneans.
The Director General of the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission Dr Ren Minghui said the completion of the P3 fixed lab is the beginning of future collaboration between the two countries in strengthening Sierra Leone’s health system. Acknowledging the role of the Jui hospital in the fight against Ebola, Mr Minghui asked that the Jui Hospital be used as the centre for tropical disease and centre for disease control and prevention.
He suggested building on the collaboration between China’s CDC and work with its counterpart in Sierra Leone so that health workers could be given adequate training. He also asked to support and use a nearby health facility in strengthening capacity building for future research and training. He looked forward to further engagement with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.
