Sierra Leone-China Friendship Biological Safety Laboratory (SLCFBS Lab), managed by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), welcomed Doris, Head of the Laboratory Management Division at the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), for an official inspection following the completion of repairs to its Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) facility in Freetown on October 3, 2025. As Sierra Leone’s only P3 laboratory, its restoration is critical, as the absence of a functional high-containment facility would leave the nation unable to detect and respond to deadly pathogens like Ebola, Marburg, and Lassa fever, posing a severe public health risk.
During the inspection, a comprehensive simulation exercise was immediately organized to validate the lab’s functionality. The drill simulated the detection of high-pathogenicity pathogens, such as Ebola, using mpox samples to mimic real-world scenarios. The exercise tested every component of the facility, from sample intake and nucleic acid extraction to full diagnostic workflows under strict biosafety protocols. All systems operated seamlessly, confirming the successful repair and readiness for operational use. This hands-on demonstration underscored the lab’s indispensable role in Sierra Leone’s public health emergency response.
The SLCFBS Lab’s contributions have been remarkable. Out of NPHA’s 11 affiliated laboratories nationwide, SLCFBS Lab processed 3,198 suspected Mpox samples as of September 27, 2025, confirming 2,702 positive cases accounting for over half of the country’s total 5,342 cases reported by the same date. The lab’s swift and accurate diagnostics provided crucial scientific support for epidemic containment and informed national response strategies, cementing its status as a cornerstone of Sierra Leone’s health security.
The lab’s origins trace back to 2014, when the Ebola epidemic devastated West Africathe largest in history, with over 28,600 cases and 11,300 deaths across Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. In Sierra Leone alone, nearly 4,000 lives were lost, overwhelming the country’s fragile health system. China’s swift intervention through China CDC established this BSL-3 facility in Freetown the nation’s first and only one providing vital testing, technical guidance, and capacity-building that helped contain the virus and saved countless lives.
Over the past decade, despite challenges like technical limitations and funding shortages that prevented its handover to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), China CDC has sustained operations through annual expert rotations. The facility has evolved to support responses to COVID-19, pivoting to PCR testing amid resource strains and power outages, and ongoing efforts against endemic malaria, which claims over 6,800 lives annually in Sierra Leone. These efforts have trained hundreds of local professionals, fostering self-reliance in public health.
The P3 facility, repaired on September 19, 2025, after damage from prolonged use, ensures the lab can now handle high-risk pathogens, directly supporting NPHA and MoHS in national surveillance. Doris commended the team’s dedication, stating, “This restoration is a game-changer for our outbreak preparedness.”
This achievement aligns with preparations for the 10th anniversary of China’s assistance to Sierra Leone in successfully defeating Ebola. China CDC will host a series of commemorative events and an international public health academic exchange in Freetown, reflecting on joint victories, showcasing SLCFBS Lab success stories, and exploring new paths for collaboration in global health research and epidemic preparedness.
Looking ahead, the China CDC expert team will continue overseeing SLCFBS Lab operations while deepening ties with MoHS, NPHA, and partners like the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa CDC. This enduring partnership aims to fortify Sierra Leone’s laboratory network and advance regional and global public health resilience.
