During the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014, China lent a helping hand in fighting the virus. Now that the epidemic has been defeated, China is still coordinating with Africa to realize development as well as to lessen poverty problems.

Wang Yaoping, medical team leader in Sierra Leone, admitted to have been rendering service in Ebola-affected countries for about a year already. He recalled that during the most critical time, Sierra Leone's hospitals were paralyzed, to the point that they are only able to attend those with Ebola cases.

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But after the virus has been successfully put under control, Wang Yaoping together with his peers decided to open an Ebola Center of the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Hospital. Initially, the team opened different clinical departments to locals. And then, they applied to the Chinese government to ask for additional medical workers. With the new hands, they are now able to offer the best treatment and accommodate a variety of illnesses. However, they put more emphasis on training Sierra Leone-based medical workers to enhance their own skills.

"Because of the Chinese, because of their training and hard work, we can now see it is much better. We want to thank for all they have done," one of the trainees named Sondey said.

Aside from harnessing their skills medically, China also wants to help Ebola-hit nations, namely, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, regain their economy. In fact, the Chinese government has pledged ongoing support to these African countries. 

Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko strongly believes that these nations are in need of big partners such as China to assist them in their recovery. Furthermore, "The African Union is pushing for debt relief for the three countries... because it's really helpful if we remove some of their debt," he said.

Even President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone has given credit to China for the help rendered to his nation. He claimed that China has given both direct and indirect aid via WHO and United Nations to Sierra Leone, support that have made a significant impact in their fight against the deadly virus. The leader noted that the Chinese government's aid and efforts has continued to outpour even in its recovery stage.

In August last year, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi became the first foreign diplomat from a major country to pay a visit to West Africa since the outbreak of Ebola in February. He stated that they are now on the verge of reconstructing the 'post-Ebola era' by targeting the root cause for the outbreak, which is poverty. 

TagsEbola Virus Disease, Guinea, Sierra Leone