Waterloo Residents Receive Free Medical Services and Supplies

Residents of Waterloo and surrounding communities benefited from a free medical outreach and donation of medicines and medical supplies at the Waterloo Community Health Center on October 10.

The programme was organised by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sierra Leone and the 27th Chinese Medical Team to Sierra Leone under the auspices of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone. It brought together Chinese diplomatic representatives, medical professionals, business leaders, local health authorities and community members.

Services offered

Medical services available during the outreach included general health checks, blood pressure measurements, blood sugar testing and consultations focused on women’s and children’s health. Residents also received eye screening through the Bright Side programme.

The Chinese medical team additionally provided traditional Chinese medicine treatments, including acupuncture and massage.

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce donated medicines and medical supplies intended to support residents and strengthen the capacity of the Waterloo health facility. The initiative was linked to the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges and took place as Sierra Leone and China marked 55 years of diplomatic ties.

Calls for continued cooperation

Zhou Jienan, a nurse and translator with the 27th Chinese Medical Team, said the gathering reflected a shared commitment to improving community healthcare and strengthening relations between Sierra Leone and China.

Representing the Chinese Embassy, Lu Yanghui reaffirmed China’s commitment to closer bilateral relations and to initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of Sierra Leoneans. Lu also described healthcare as fundamental to human development and quality of life.

Lu urged healthcare professionals to maintain professionalism, dedication and compassion. Chinese enterprises operating in Sierra Leone were also encouraged to fulfil their social responsibilities, comply with local laws, create employment opportunities and contribute to environmental protection and community development.

Feng Tao, representing the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, described the free clinic and medicine donation as practical expressions of friendship. Feng also said Chinese enterprises could support employment, economic growth and national development in Sierra Leone, while expressing hope for continued cooperation among doctors, businesses and young people.

Request for broader outreach

Kiskama Fomba Swarray, Principal Public Health Superintendent for the Western Area Rural District, said the initiative helped raise public awareness and encouraged residents to take greater responsibility for their health.

Swarray recalled that the Chinese medical team’s previous visit in May had been well coordinated and beneficial to the community. Swarray called for future programmes to accommodate more patients and extend services to additional communities across the district.

The health official also urged the Chinese government, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Chinese medical team to maintain and expand the partnership.

The programme was held under the theme, “Working Together to Bring Our Peoples Closer and Build a Bridge of China-Sierra Leone Friendship.”