Chinese Medical Team Returns from Sierra Leone After Completing Ebola Mission

The first batch of Chinese public health experts returns after two months of fighting Ebola in West Africa

Source: People’s Daily Online – Health Channel | January 08, 2015 09:32

People’s Daily Online, Beijing, January 8 (Reporter Ma Xiaoran) – Today at 6:30 AM, the first batch of Chinese public health experts sent to Sierra Leone to assist in Ebola prevention and control arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport after completing their two-month mission. The team was warmly welcomed at the airport by leaders from the National Health and Family Planning Commission and the China CDC.

It is reported that this team was the first group of public health experts dispatched by the Chinese government to West Africa to assist in Ebola prevention and control. The 13-member team departed for Sierra Leone on September 16, 2014. During their mission, the team members trained local medical staff and community workers in epidemic prevention, conducted epidemiological investigations, and participated in case management and referral work.

According to team leader Liang Xiaofeng, the Chinese experts worked in Sierra Leone’s Western Area, which had the highest number of Ebola cases. They collaborated with local staff to establish a case management center, significantly improving the efficiency of case discovery and referral. The team also trained over 1,200 local epidemic prevention workers, making important contributions to the Ebola prevention and control efforts in Sierra Leone.

At the welcoming ceremony, National Health and Family Planning Commission Vice Minister Cui Li fully acknowledged the team’s work. She stated that the Chinese government would continue to support West African countries in their fight against Ebola and would send additional medical teams and public health experts as needed.

According to reports, China has sent multiple batches of medical teams and public health experts to West Africa since the Ebola outbreak. These teams have provided medical services to local communities while assisting in epidemic prevention and control, demonstrating the humanitarian spirit of the Chinese government and people.