Chinese medical team conducts first responder training at Central University of Sierra Leone

The 27th batch of the Chinese medical team from Hunan Province conducted a specialized "First Responder" emergency care training program at Sierra Leone's Central University on July 9, 2026. The expert team delivered a standardized Chinese emergency curriculum to nearly 150 local nursing students and faculty members to support local professional development and practical health education partnerships.

Gao Kelei, an associate professor, delivers a lecture on airway management to a packed lecture hall of nursing students. (Photo provided to People's Daily Online)

Central University serves as an essential hub for cultivating grassroots nursing and emergency response personnel. To address specific practical gaps in local emergency response, the Chinese medical team coordinated with the university's instructional needs by leveraging two microfilm training platforms: the China-Sierra Leone First Responder Training Center and the China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center.

The training program utilized an integrated approach combining theoretical modules with hands-on clinical simulation. Tan Yan, a senior nurse, initiated the session by breaking down the fundamental principles and legal responsibilities of immediate first-aid intervention. Gao Kelei, an associate professor, followed with a technical analysis of airway management, detailing procedures for clearing obstructions and coordinating emergency responses. Sheng Jie, an associate professor, concluded the lecture phase by outlining strict chronological protocols and criteria for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Tan Yan, a senior nurse, guides a student on the precise placement of AED pads during a simulation. (Photo provided to People's Daily Online)

During the practical segment, the lecture hall functioned as an active clinical workshop. The instructors demonstrated standardized techniques and individually reviewed each participant's compression depth, hand positioning, and rhythm. Tan knelt on an instructional mat to assist a student with automated external defibrillator (AED) pad orientation, while Sheng and Gao managed separate stations focusing on chest compressions and physical maneuvers.

Sheng Jie, an associate professor, presents an official training certificate to a nursing student who passed the practical exam. (Photo provided to People's Daily Online)

To ensure standard compliance, every participating student and faculty member underwent an individual practical assessment. Those who met the operational benchmarks received an official First Responder qualification certificate on-site.

Dr. Fatmata Gegbe, head of the nursing department at the Central University of Sierra Leone, noted that the structured program directly addressed the university's practical instructional shortages, substantially improving the students' field readiness. Trainees stated that the practical skills acquired would enable them to provide immediate, reliable medical support within their communities.

Medical team members and certified university participants hold a commemorative banner at the campus courtyard following the session. (Photo provided to People's Daily Online)

This program maintains the ongoing educational cooperation between the 27th batch of the Chinese medical team and local higher education institutions. Moving forward, the medical team will continue utilizing the frameworks of the First Responder and Nursing Training Centers to manage regular emergency care outreach in local schools and communities, focusing on the structured development of local medical personnel.

Wang Jinwei is an ophthalmologist of the Chinese Medical Team.