By Foday Moriba Conteh
As part of their continued support towards combating COVID-19 in the country, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army has on Thursday 8th April, 2021 donated a consignment of 40,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). The handing over ceremony took place at the Ministry of Defence Conference Hall at Tower Hill in Freetown.
In his declaration of purpose, Commanding Officer-JMU RSLAF, Colonel Dr. Stephen Sevalie extended appreciation to the People’s Liberation Army and the People of China for the donation of the COVID-19 vaccines to the Republic of Sierra Leone Army Forces (RSLAF) which he described as a demonstration of a geniune friendship.
He informed all that the donation of the consignment of vaccine to RSLAF will definitely contribute immensely towards the fight against the COVID-19 in the country.
In his address, the Chinese Ambassador of China to Sierra Leone, H.E Hu Zhangliang, disclosed that it is a great pleasure for him to be present to formally hand over the 40,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine along with 41,600 syringes donated by the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) at a time when COVID-19 vaccines are in great demand, however, underscoring that the supply will not suffice.
He said the delivery of the vaccine from China to Sierra Leone demonstrates the profound traditional friendship between the two countries and the two armies, adding that it is also one of the concrete actions of the Chinese side in honoring H.E. President Xi Jinping’s solemn pledge of making China’s COVID-19 vaccine a global public good and contribute to the realization of the availability and affordability of COVID-19 vaccines in developing countries.
Hu Zhangliang expressed deep appreciation to the Minister of Defence, Kellie Conteh, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Muana Massaquoi and other friends in cooperating closely with the Chinese side for the successful delivery of the donation stating that he is with the strong conviction that the donation came at the right time and will go a long way in assisting the RSLAF combating the pandemic.
“In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Sierra Leone have been fighting together.
“The Chinese Government and the PLA have provided to the Sierra Leonean side several rounds of much- needed medical supplies and the Chinese Military Medical Group has been working with their RSLAF colleagues day and night in pandemic prevention and control. And of course China received political and moral support from Sierra Leone when China was in the difficult time of the fight. This cooperation explicitly explains the meaning of friendship,” he pointed out.
Hu Zhangliang said in the fight against COVID-19, the Sierra Leonean Government and people have displayed tenacity and perseverance and achieved notable results maintaining that the RSLAF has been at the frontline combating the pandemic in Sierra Leone and it plays an indispensable role in NACOVERC furthering that the officers and soldiers have faithfully conducted their duties and made substantial contribution to the country.
He revealed that the consignment of vaccine donated by the Chinese PLA will help build another shield for the entire RSLAF men and women against the virus and enable them to better perform their lofty duties.
“The safety and efficacy of the donated vaccine has been scientifically proven and I am convinced that the vaccine will be taken good care of and put into good use by the RSLAF,” he stated.
“I firmly believe that the Sierra Leonean Government and people, including the RSLAF, will continue to uphold high the banner of China-Sierra Leone friendship. I wish the Sierra Leonean Government, people and armed forces an early complete victory in combating the pandemic and greater success in achieving national development,” the Ambassador ended.
Receiving the gesture, Hon. Minister of Defence and Interim National Coordinator of NaCOVERC, Brig. (Rtd.) Kellie Conteh, extended gratitude to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army for the kind gesture which he described as a timely intervention in the fight against COVID-19 in the country
He noted that it could be recalled that in 2014/2015 when the Ebola break out in the country China was the first country that doesn’t only sent equipment but also sent their experts in order to support the fight against Ebola in the country, adding that one singular thing that came out of that efforts was that they thought that the country lacks the capacity to prepare for such an outbreak in the future of which they set up a laboratory which the country is enjoying as a nation.
Brig. (Rtd.) Kellie Conteh further revealed that when the country recorded its first positive COVID-19 index case in March last year it was the facility that the Chinese built that became the centre of excellence for the entire nation.
He said the country is very proud for the bilateral relationship between the two countries which has existed for decades
He assured them that the donated 40,000 doses of COVID-19 Vaccine to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) will be used for its intended purpose towards the fight against COVID-19 in the country.
The event was climaxed by the signing of the delivery note by the Chinese Ambassador of China to Sierra Leone, H.E Hu Zhangliang and Hon. Minister of Defence and Interim National Coordinator of NaCOVERC, Brig. (Rtd.) Kellie Conteh, followed by an official handing over ceremony of the donated COVID-19 Vaccines.
