By Marius Musa Kargbo
The China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Centre has successfully conducted the second specialized course of its inaugural training programme, reinforcing efforts to strengthen nursing capacity in Sierra Leone through digital innovation and international medical collaboration.
Held at the Telemedicine Centre of the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital, the training connected frontline healthcare professionals in Freetown with leading medical experts in China through a live telemedicine platform. The programme combined virtual instruction with practical, in-person demonstrations delivered by members of the 27th Chinese Medical Team serving in Sierra Leone.
The virtual lecture was led by Sun Lingyu, Head Nurse of the Ophthalmology Centre at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. She presented on practical ophthalmic emergency management and infection prevention, providing nurses with guidance on recognising eye emergencies, responding to chemical eye injuries, administering eye medications safely, and strengthening infection control practices. Interactive case simulations and role-playing exercises helped participants understand clinical procedures in real-world scenarios.
Participants from hospitals across Sierra Leone actively engaged in the live question-and-answer session, seeking clarification on common clinical issues, including the proper use of eye drops, treatment techniques, and the management of patients presenting with red-eye symptoms.
The programme also featured practical lectures by ophthalmologist Dr. Wang Jinwei, who trained participants in primary eye care, highlighting the diagnosis and referral of common eye diseases prevalent in West Africa. He demonstrated low-cost diagnostic techniques such as the pinhole test and digital tonometry, offering practical solutions suitable for healthcare facilities operating with limited medical equipment.
Associate Professor Gao Kelei further expanded the training by delivering comprehensive lectures on the diagnosis, triage, and nursing management of common ear, nose, and throat emergencies. Using English-language multimedia presentations, he translated complex specialist procedures into practical bedside interventions that nurses can immediately apply in their daily work.
Participants praised the initiative for its practical value. Agnes Anthony FoFanal, a State Registered Nurse at Ola During Children’s Hospital, described the training as highly beneficial, noting that the diagnostic techniques and physical examination skills taught by the Chinese specialists would significantly improve patient care in resource-constrained settings.
The training forms part of the broader partnership between the 27th Chinese Medical Team and Sierra Leone’s healthcare institutions. Through specialized training centres and telemedicine technology, the initiative aims to enhance frontline nursing standards, improve clinical practice, and promote sustainable knowledge transfer between China and Sierra Leone.
