By Mary Kabay
On the third day of China’s National Day holiday, the Chinese Medical Team (CMT) in Sierra Leone, a group of medical professionals dispatched by the Chinese Government to provide long-term healthcare assistance and capacity building in partner countries responded swiftly to an emergency call from a Chinese enterprise in the country. A Sierra Leonean worker had suffered a severe finger amputation during a work operation, causing heavy bleeding and posing a serious threat to his life and future hand function.
Upon receiving the distress call, the CMT immediately activated its emergency response mechanism. A specialized surgical group was quickly formed, led by Deputy Chief Physician Dr. Zeng Lei from Orthopedics and supported by Deputy Chief Physician Dr. Liu Bo from General Surgery, as well as Senior Nurses Hong Yuan and Liu Xue. They rushed without delay to the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Hospital to prepare for surgery.
An initial examination revealed multiple injuries to the patient’s right hand, with the ring finger almost completely severed and hanging by a narrow bridge of skin. Without rapid and advanced surgical intervention, the finger would almost certainly have become necrotic. The team quickly stabilized the patient, controlled bleeding and developed a detailed surgical plan. Under the leadership of Dr. Zeng Lei, the operation began immediately.
Working with limited local medical resources and facing the complexity of delicate microsurgery, the CMT team demonstrated exceptional professionalism, focus and coordination. Under the bright surgical lights, they carefully cleaned and debrided the wound, aligned bones, reconnected blood vessels and nerves and reconstructed the nail bed; all performed with meticulous precision. Every member of the team worked tirelessly through the intense two-hour procedure, united by one goal: to save the patient’s finger and restore its function.
When the surgery concluded successfully, the patient was overwhelmed with gratitude. Hearing that his finger had a strong chance of regaining function, he was moved to tears, repeatedly thanking the Chinese doctors for their life-saving intervention. Post-operative observation confirmed stable blood circulation in the replanted finger and encouraging signs of recovery.
This landmark operation is of profound significance; it represents the first successful finger replantation surgery in Sierra Leone’s medical history. Beyond the immediate success, it symbolizes a new milestone in the 62-year medical partnership between China and Sierra Leone. The achievement also reflects China’s long-standing medical cooperation with Africa, which began in 1963 when China sent its first medical aid team to the continent, coinciding with the pioneering limb replantation performed by Professor Zhongwei Chen, later an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
For more than six decades, China’s medical teams have upheld the principles of “fearing no hardship, selfless dedication, healing the wounded and rescuing the dying, and showing boundless love.” The Chinese Medical Team (CMT) in Sierra Leone continues this noble mission; bringing advanced techniques, training local professionals and strengthening the country’s healthcare capacity.
Sierra Leonean medical staff at the Friendship Hospital praised the Chinese team’s professionalism and commitment, noting that this successful operation sets a strong foundation for future cooperation and knowledge transfer. They also highlighted how such interventions enhance local healthcare services and deepen the friendship between the two nations.
Looking forward, the CMT has pledged to continue working closely with Sierra Leonean doctors to introduce more advanced medical expertise and promote sustainable healthcare development. Through its skill, compassion and enduring sense of duty, the Chinese Medical Team remains a powerful bridge of friendship; ensuring that the partnership between China and Sierra Leone continues to thrive through shared healing and humanity.
