By Foday Moriba Conteh
Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Hu Zhangliang has said that solidarity, cooperation and honesty are very vital to end the coronavirus pandemic around the world. He said when the virus occurred in China they were quick to work with WHO and European countries that were concern as they provided timely and critical moral and material support to help China fight the epidemic.
Ambassador Hu said that now that the virus is in Sierra Leone solidarity and cooperation between the countries that have been helping Sierra Leone in the past must come together and work with the Ministry of Health to combat the spread.
“I am happy that China had already taken steps to prepare Sierra Leone and the infectious and disease control department at the 34 military hospital has been very important in the testing and isolating of virus victims. This is what is needed to win this battle. We all must come together and share notes and experience and where necessary give support to the vulnerable countries and get this virus of their backs.”
The Ambassador averred that they are monitoring the situation and already the Chinese medical teams on the ground have started working and others have prepared very well in the event that the cases will increase.
He said he had a fruitful discussion with the Minister of Health during the handing over ceremony of the support from Jack Ma and said if the need arise, China will send more equipment to make sure that the country does not allow the virus to overwhelm them.
“The best way to treat this virus is to prevent it and the decision taken by the Government to lockdown the country for three days is commendable. All we want to see is for citizens to adhere to the instructions passed to them by the health officials by washing of hands frequently, social distancing and always make sure that when somebody complains of sickness, he or she is taken to the hospital. It is better to prevent the virus than to treat it.”
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said weeks ago that no country should assume it will not get cases. He stressed that the virus does not respect borders or ideologies, does not distinguish between races or ethnicities, and has no regard for a country’s level of development.
The WHO boss’s statement has now come to pass as all the major economies have been hit very hard.
The Ambassador said that now that most countries have come to realize that the virus is not about system of Government, human right or how big is your economy, it is now evident that all the countries are now working together with the WHO to eliminate the virus. “Today China is in over 90 countries including United States, Italy, England, Germany, Iran and counting, working with them to combat the deadly virus. The experience of the Chinese is being shared around as they all work together to make sure that they win the battle. China has not relented as they have been providing medical assistance as well as human resources, but they did not stop there, as they are online with their counterparts’ doctors across the world sharing experience and also using their technology to treat patients.”
He said the solidarity and cooperation these past weeks have been great and more has to be done as countries should continue to share their experiences and knowledge on how to prevent and protect the larger majority from infected by the virus.
The Ambassador noted that the cases in Africa are gradually rising and they must work together to break the chain.
“One important lesson we have learnt from the COVID-19 crisis, is that it teaches the world that more international cooperation, not less, is badly needed in tackling such a global public health crisis since no single nation can deal with it alone. That is especially true amid a rise of protectionism and unilateralism in the past years.”
