On the morning of December 13, 2023, at 10 AM (time in Sierra Leone), the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone and the 24th Chinese (Hunan) Medical Team to Sierra Leone held a Picture Exhibition at the National Library of Sierra Leone to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Dispatching the First China Medical Team to Africa and the 50th Anniversary of Dispatching the First China Medical Team to Sierra Leone. Dr. Austin Demby, the Minister of Health of Sierra Leone, Dr. Satie Kenneh, the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health of Sierra Leone, attended the ceremony along with several officials from the Ministry of Health. Wang Qing, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, and Du Zijun, the Economic and Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, were also present at the ceremony. Dr. Austin Demby, on behalf of the Sierra Leone government, conferred the Sierra Leone National Outstanding Contribution medal and honorary certificates to members of the medical aid team, recognizing their dedications to improving the health standards of the people of Sierra Leone and promoting the friendship between the two countries. Zhang Lei and Liao Haiyan from the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University both received this prestigious honor.

(Dr. Austin Demby, the Minister of Health of Sierra Leone, presented medals and honorary certificates to Zhang Lei and Liao Haiyan on behalf of the Sierra Leone government)

As part of this event, the 24th Chinese Medical Team to Sierra Leone also led all participants to view the Picture Exhibition commemorating the 60th Anniversary of Dispatching the First China Medical Team to Africa and the 50th Anniversary of Dispatching the First China Medical Team to Sierra Leone.

(Ambassador Wang Qing of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, Dr. Austin Demby, the Minister of Health of Sierra Leone, and others took a group photo with members of the Chinese Medical Team to Sierra Leone)

It is known that medical cooperation between China and Sierra Leone began in 1973. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Dispatching the First China Medical Team to Sierra Leone, and the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has awarded the collective representatives of the Chinese Medical Aid Teams Abroad the title of "Role Model of the Times." The 24th Chinese Medical Team to Sierra Leone arrived in February 2023, and then started working at the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Hospital. Undeterred by challenges, Deputy Chief Physician Zhang Lei and Deputy Chief Physician Liao Haiyan passionately cared for patients, embodying the noble spirit of prioritizing life-saving efforts. Beyond establishing the Xiangya brand, they have contributed to strengthening friendship of the two countries, bringing hope and positive messages to patients in Sierra Leone. Through the dedicated efforts of healthcare professionals from the Second Xiangya Hospital, the hospital's name has become quite popular in Sierra Leone. The the Chinese medical teams from Second Xiangya Hospital in Sierra Leone have been actively practicing the spirit of "fear no hardships, selfless dedication, life-saving and healing, and boundless love", playing its part in fostering the friendship of the two countries and advancing the Belt and Road Initiative.