The China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center has successfully conducted its 6th specialized nursing training programme, further strengthening efforts to improve the professional capacity of Sierra Leone’s nursing workforce.
Held on 7 August 2026, the training adopted an innovative hybrid approach that combined online lectures delivered by Chinese medical experts with on-site instruction in Sierra Leone. The programme was designed around Sierra Leone’s local disease patterns and clinical nursing challenges, providing practical and adaptable skills to support the continued development of indigenous nursing services.
Professor Li Zhen, Team Leader of the 27th Chinese Medical Team to Sierra Leone from Yiyang Central Hospital, delivered an on-site lecture on traumatic brain injury nursing. He highlighted key principles of specialized care for traumatic brain injuries, an area identified as a major gap within grassroots healthcare delivery in Sierra Leone. The session provided participants with standardized approaches to patient management and improved understanding of effective nursing protocols.
Hong Yuan, a member of the 26th Chinese Medical Team to Sierra Leone from Hunan Cancer Hospital, delivered an online session on infectious disease nursing. Drawing from his one-year experience working in Sierra Leone, Hong Yuan shared knowledge tailored to the country’s infectious disease profile and primary healthcare needs, focusing on prevention, control measures and practical approaches for frontline nurses.
Liu Xue, also a member of the 26th Chinese Medical Team to Sierra Leone from Yueyang Central Hospital, conducted an online training session on standardized gastric tube nursing. The session focused on routine clinical procedures commonly performed by nurses, including proper gastric tube insertion techniques and post-insertion care and maintenance.
In addition, Hu Jing from Hunan Cancer Hospital delivered an online lecture on lymphedema nursing, emphasizing the importance of prevention, early detection, daily care practices and symptom management to improve patient outcomes.
The training employed a blended learning method, combining PowerPoint-based theoretical presentations with video demonstrations. The practical videos helped participants better understand clinical procedures by illustrating real-life healthcare scenarios and breaking down complex nursing techniques into clear, manageable steps.
More than 40 Sierra Leonean nurses participated in the training, engaging actively throughout the sessions. Participants expressed appreciation for the programme, noting that the lessons were closely connected to their daily clinical responsibilities and provided valuable knowledge and practical skills to address existing gaps in nursing care.
They commended the Chinese medical team for its continued commitment to knowledge-sharing and capacity building, describing the initiative as an important contribution to strengthening Sierra Leone’s healthcare system.
The China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center remains a key platform for health cooperation between the two countries. Guided by the principle of “teaching people to fish rather than giving them fish,” the centre continues to use telehealth and professional exchange programmes to enhance the skills of local nurses, build sustainable healthcare capacity and deepen the partnership between China and Sierra Leone in the health sector.