Monrovia, Liberia – The People’s Republic of China has sent a new team of medical experts to Liberia. The 16th Chinese Medical Team has been assigned to the John F. Kennedy Medical Centre (JFKC), and other health centers around the world. Radiologist, Cardiologist, Surgeon, Dentist, Internist, Nurse, Interpreter, and Cook make up the new team. These Chinese professionals are all in the country to support the health sector in Liberia on behalf of their country.
Speaking at the event to welcome the new Chinese team, FAN Erwei, Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Liberia, described the Chinese people’s commitment to international medical help, a healthy life, and peace as a clear example of President Xi Jinping’s vision. He claimed that since the China-Aid medical team programme to Liberia began in 1984, the two nations have strengthened their brotherhood via their joint efforts to combat COVID-19, Ebola, and other illnesses.
A new round of protocols for sending Chinese medical teams to Liberia (2002–2027) was signed by the Chinese and Liberian governments last year, and the first year of the Paired Hospital Cooperation Mechanism Project (Cardiovascular Department Cooperation Project) is being implemented with good progress.
The National Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Laboratory Project at the 14th Military Hospital, as well as the Comprehensive Upgrading Project of Tapeta Hospital, which includes the construction of the national herbal research laboratory and medical plant garden, are all progressing steadily. The medical collaboration between China and Liberia is comprehensive. It continues to raise the bar for the two nations’ health collaboration while offering the people of Liberia high-quality medical care.
On behalf of his government, Councillor FAN Erwei pledged that China will persist in providing unwavering support for Liberia’s health sector advancements through many channels and is prepared to collaborate with Liberia in the establishment of a universal health system.
He added that the 15th medical team successfully completed their task, and some members will return back to China. Councillor FAN Erwei continued that, during the stay of the 15th medical team in Liberia, they honored the pledge of braving hardship, willing to dedicate, saving lives and helping injured, and showing great love and treated more than 7,962 people in total by overcoming difficulties, as well as 233 surges, 47 resuscitations of critically ill patients, 778 visits to the Internal Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture and Moxibustion) Department, 1,186 ultrasound examinations, and 53 training sessions of various types of training for the JFK Hospital, with 95 trainees.
Councillor FAN Erwei said the professionals said the team worked closely with the Liberian medical team to combat the pandemic, actively promoted the China-Africa paired hospital cooperation project, trained medical and nursing talents and donated medical equipment to local hospitals, carried out charity consultations and distributed free medicines, participated in radio programs to publicize China’s experience in pandemic prevention and control, and provided pandemic treatment for Chinese in Liberia.
The team has been reported by domestic and foreign media more than 100 times and has been highly commended by the cooperating hospitals and Liberian people.
Councillor FAN Erwei thanked the outgoing Chinese team for their work and contribution to Liberia and welcomed the new team to Liberia. He cautioned them to play a good role in passing on the good tradition, and take over the baton of health aid and complete all tasks successfully. He wished them well and cautioned them to maintain self-protection.
Representing the Minister of Health, Assistance Minister for Curative Services, and Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. G. Gorbee Logan thanked the people of China for their tremendous support to Liberia on behalf of Health Minister Wilhelmina Jallah and the people of Liberia.
He said there are Liberian doctors out of the country who are training and learning in special fields that will help develop Liberia’s health sector, including heart surgery.
Dr. Logan welcomed the new team to Liberia and extended gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for the many contributions to the people of Liberia. He promised a close working relationship with the new team and the people of China on behalf of the Liberian government.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jerry Brown, Chief Executive Officer of JFKMC, praised the outgoing Chinese medical team for their work to the JFK family and patients. Extending gratitude to the government and people of China, Dr. Brown welcomed the new Chinese medical professionals to the JFK family. He said the cardiology department was ably rehabilitated by the Chinese government.
Dr. Brown, at the same time, thanked the government and people of China for the scholarship given to Liberian medical professionals, including Nero surgeons. He recognized the commitment and passion of the government and people of China for Liberia’s development, especially in the health sector, including medical supplies.
He praised the 15th outgoing medical team, especially the leader, Dr. Sia Wata Camanor, for his good leadership role played during his stay in Liberia.
Over the years, the JFK has improved under the Weah government, producing two neurosurgeons, cardiologists, pediatricians, and other important specialists in the health sector.
Dr. Brown said that the JFK hospital is the only hospital in Liberia with an intensive care unit as part of the infrastructure development. He said the issue of space and more infrastructure is important for the JFK Center. Dr. Brown pleaded with the government and people of China to help expand the JFK center as China turned its attention to Africa’s development. He at the same time pleaded for more equipment, noting that JFK is the mother hospital for all health centers in Liberia.
In a special remark, the Director of Health Commission of Heilongjang Provence, JinJian,n thanked the government and people of Liberia for the level of collaboration with the 15th Chinese medical team over the years.
He promised that the new Chinese team will continue the god work of the outgoing team. According to Jian, the Chinese medical team will continue to work in the best interest of the two countries and their bilateral relationship. He at the same time encouraged the JFK authorities to often visit China and share ideas, and learn from the people there.
The outgoing Chinese medical team leader, Dr. Wang Liang said, in the past years, the Chinese medical team successfully completed their various tasks with the support of JFKMC and the leadership of the Chinese Embassy.
According to him, Chinese government launched a China-Africa counterpart cooperation assistance project for 30 hospitals including JFKMC with the collaboration of China’s Heilongjiang Provincial Hospital. He noted that the focus of the cooperation is to develop and improve cardiology treatment, such as prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate heart disease.
The project includes both donation of medial equipment, medical drugs and professional training. He promised that the new medical team under the leadership of Guo Jian will respect cultural differences and strictly abide by the international medical ethics code. and wish the team well.
At the end of the program, the outgoing Chinese medical were presented with certificates of gratitute, and it was presented by Dama R. Yekerson-Koffa, DCEO Adminstrator JFKMC.
