China boosts Sierra Leone's health sector

Freetown, Sierra Leone - The Chinese government has donated health care delivery equipment to the government of Sierra Leone in a bid to lift the West African nation from its poor health delivery status, the state radio reported here.

The equipment includes two electrocardiographs, one X-ray equipment one digital ultrasound system, one portable insight monitor and three dehumidifier.

The radio quoted Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Cheng Wenju, who made the donation, as saying it was one of the positive outcomes of President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah's visit to China's Hunan Province in November 2006.

Cheng disclosed that the government of China had earlier this year donated anti-malaria drugs worth US$150,000 to the government of Sierra Leone.

The Ambassador appealed for good use of the medical equipment for the benefit of the people of Sierra Leone.

Receiving the package, outgoing President Tejan Kabbah said various sophisticated diagnostic medical instruments had been received as donation from the Hunan Province in China.

He said the people of Sierra Leone appreciated the long standing material and diplomatic support from China to the country, and described the donation as 'a stitch in time that saves nine'.

"The timely response by the people of Hunan province of China in providing these equipment is an admirable demonstration of the commitment by the people of that province to the well being of the people of Sierra Leone," he noted.

China boosts Sierra Leone's health sector | Afrique en ligne