Sierra Leone Launches First Traditional Chinese Medicine Center with Chinese Collaboration

On February 28, 2025, representatives from China and Sierra Leone gathered in Freetown, Sierra Leone's capital, for the opening ceremony of the country's first-ever traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) center. This landmark inauguration represents an important milestone for Sierra Leone as it actively incorporates TCM methods into its healthcare infrastructure, aiming to provide alternative medical therapies for its people.

The establishment of the TCM center comes after the completion of a community health research initiative, led by a group from the 25th batch of the Chinese medical team. The initiative focused on improving healthcare access throughout Sierra Leone, especially regarding chronic illnesses like hypertension and long-term pain management. Spearheaded by Chinese doctors, this project successfully provided free acupuncture therapy to thousands of local individuals across the country, attracting positive responses concerning its efficacy.

You Xiong, the deputy leader of the Chinese medical team involved, highlighted the promising outcomes observed during the community health project. According to You, acupuncture treatments were particularly effective at controlling hypertension and mitigating chronic pain symptoms among local patients. He emphasized the beneficial role acupuncture therapies played, as evidenced by the positive feedback received.

At the inaugural event, Sierra Leone's Deputy Health Minister Charles Senessie praised the long-standing healthcare collaboration between his country and China, particularly acknowledging their combined efforts to introduce and advance traditional medical practices. He noted significant progress in the integration of traditional medicine into Sierra Leone’s public health systems and expressed optimism that the new center would enhance staff training for local doctors, thus extending quality health services to more distant rural communities.

Since dispatching its first medical delegation to Sierra Leone in 1973, China has continuously contributed to the nation's healthcare development. The 25 medical teams sent by China over the years have played a major role in strengthening Sierra Leone’s healthcare infrastructure and reinforcing the two nations' enduring friendship.