The Confucius Institute at the University of Sierra Leone is organizing series of medical lectures by three Chinese Medical Experts. One of such lectures was held at the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology (MMCET) on Friday 4th May 2018 in Freetown. The three experts are Dr. Xiao Ning, from the China Centre for Disease Control with his topic ‘Global Health and Tropical Diseases: Impacts on Human Health”; Dr. Huang Lei from the Chinese Military Medical Team with his topic “Towards an HIV Cure”; and Dr. Xie Weibin from the 19th Batch Chinese Medical Team with his topic “A Window to Traditional Chinese Medicine”.

Dr. Xiao Ning, giving lectures on Global Health and Tropical Diseases whilst other Guests on the high table are listening

The lectures attracted over 500 Students and local people from all walks of life. Also in attendance were Dr. Saidu Kanu, Principal of MMCET and Prof. He Mingqing, Director of Confucius Institute at the University of Sierra Leone.

In his welcome address, Dr. Saidu Kanu lauded China for playing key roles in the development of medicine, technology, and culture that has impacted the world. “We have seen today another dimension in Chinese culture and medicine. It is good to learn about Chinese traditional medicine and culture for our own development,” he said.

Prof. He Mingqing stated the importance of public health in Sierra Leone and the African Continent, which is why his institution is bringing together experts to teach people about public health safety so as to strengthen their knowledge. He revealed that his institution has established ten Chinese language teaching sites in Freetown and hoped to take it to other parts of the country in the future.

“Health is the most important to save lives for the future. We need to promote global health because we are one family. We need to take good care of not only humans but animals also,” says Dr. Ning Xiao.

A cross section of Confucius Institute staff and Milton Margai College students

Dr. Alex Kanu, Medical Superintendent at Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital said they are presently enjoying the services of the 19th Batch of Chinese Medical Team. The hospital, he said treats an average of 100 patients daily and it has various departments providing quality medical services such as Chinese Traditional Medicine; performs laboratory tests with results issued out at a shortest possible time; performs minor and major surgeries, and very soon they will have a city scanner.

Dr. Kanu said they have various projects, which are services offered to the public. These are: Brightness Project, which deals with Cataract Case, and since last year over 200 cases have been operated free of cost, and there are plans to do 200 more cases; Operation making life better, which focuses on treating patients with Hemorrhoids, also called piles, at low cost; Friendship is good, which treats patients with challenging medical conditions like women with fibroid.

All medical charges, Dr. Kanu said has been reduced because the Hospital is not government owned. He encouraged all to take advantage of the quality services provided by the Friendship Hospital.