The 27th batch of the Chinese Medical Team has taken another significant step toward strengthening Sierra Leone’s healthcare system by providing specialized medical training to nursing students at the Bo Campus of Njala University.
The team delivered its first public academic lecture to nursing students on May 30, marking a new phase in the long-standing medical cooperation between China and Sierra Leone. The initiative is aimed at building local capacity and equipping future healthcare professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to improve patient care across the country.
The lecture was facilitated by Gao Kelei, an Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) specialist attached to the 27th batch of the Chinese Medical Team. Hundreds of nursing students attended the event, alongside senior university administrators and faculty members from the College of Medical Sciences.
Presenting on the topic: “Early Detection and Standardized Nursing Interventions for Common ENT Diseases,” Gao Kelei focused on practical clinical approaches that can be effectively applied within the realities of Sierra Leone’s primary healthcare system. Complex medical concepts were simplified into practical, step-by-step procedures designed to help students understand and manage common ear, nose and throat conditions.
Rather than delivering a conventional classroom lecture, the session was structured as an interactive academic exchange. Students actively participated in discussions and practical case study simulations, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in addressing real-life clinical situations.
The training covered important areas such as airway safety management, pediatric foreign body removal and infection prevention and control. Students were encouraged to answer questions, analyze clinical scenarios and propose practical treatment strategies, creating a highly engaging learning environment.
University officials commended the initiative, noting that such practical exposure is essential for preparing competent and confident nursing professionals capable of meeting the healthcare needs of local communities.
Following the lecture, Gao Kelei held discussions with the Acting Dean of the College of Medical Sciences, Angella M. George, on ways to strengthen the educational partnership between the Chinese Medical Team and Njala University.
Both sides reached a preliminary understanding to deepen collaboration through regular public medical lectures, joint free medical outreach programmes in communities and expanded clinical placement opportunities for Njala University nursing students at the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital.
The proposed partnership is expected to provide nursing students with valuable practical experience while enhancing the quality of healthcare services available to the public.
For the 27th batch of the Chinese Medical Team, the initiative represents a broader approach to international medical assistance. While the provision of direct healthcare services remains a key priority, the team is increasingly focusing on knowledge transfer, clinical research and the professional development of future healthcare workers.
By investing in the education and training of Sierra Leonean nurses and other medical professionals, the Chinese Medical Team hopes to contribute to the long-term growth and resilience of the country’s healthcare system.
The latest engagement reflects the enduring friendship and cooperation between Sierra Leone and China and highlights the shared commitment of both nations to improving healthcare delivery through education, skills development and sustainable capacity building.
