The Ministry of Health of Sierra Leone on Thursday, 29th May 2026, officially received a critical consignment of anti-viral medicines from the 27th batch of the Chinese (Hunan) Medical Team, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s preparedness and response to Lassa fever and other febrile infectious diseases.
The official handover ceremony, coordinated by the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, underscored the growing health partnership between China and Sierra Leone, particularly in the fight against infectious diseases that continue to pose significant public health challenges across the region.
According to officials, the donation was prompted by urgent concerns surrounding the continued threat of the Lassa virus, which remains a serious public health concern in Sierra Leone and neighboring countries. Following a rapid emergency assessment, the Chinese Medical Team provided 18,000 vials of Ribavirin Injection to support frontline medical interventions and improve the availability of life-saving treatment.
Ribavirin Injection is widely regarded as an essential therapeutic medication used in the treatment of viral hemorrhagic fevers, including Lassa fever. Health experts say the availability of the medicine is expected to significantly ease pressure on local healthcare facilities and improve treatment outcomes for affected patients.
Speaking during the ceremony, Sierra Leone’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sartie Kenneh, emphasized the importance of maintaining strong medical supply reserves to effectively combat infectious febrile diseases.
He expressed profound appreciation to the Government of China and the Chinese Medical Team for what he described as timely and invaluable assistance, noting that Sierra Leone’s public health system has continued to build resilience through difficult health crises.
Dr. Sartie Kenneh stated that China’s sustained support has remained instrumental in strengthening Sierra Leone’s health sector, especially during times of emergency. He described the donation as both precise and timely, reflecting the enduring and stable public health cooperation between the two countries.
Also speaking at the event, Wang Peng, Counselor for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, said the donation represented a practical and swift response to emergency disease prevention needs.
He reaffirmed the Chinese Government’s unwavering commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s healthcare system adding that China remains dedicated to strengthening bilateral cooperation in public health and epidemic preparedness.
Captain of the Chinese Medical Team, Dr. Li Zheng, highlighted the longstanding cooperation between both countries in responding to major health emergencies, including the Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Li Zheng stated that the China-Sierra Leone health cooperation framework has proven resilient during some of the world’s most serious public health emergencies and assured that the Chinese Medical Team would continue monitoring disease trends in Sierra Leone to ensure future support aligns with the country’s urgent clinical needs.
Health authorities confirmed that the entire batch of medicines has been successfully transferred and that logistical arrangements are already underway to distribute the supplies to key treatment centers across the country in the shortest possible time.
The intervention is expected to significantly strengthen Sierra Leone’s capacity to respond to Lassa fever and related infectious diseases while further deepening the longstanding health partnership between China and Sierra Leone.
