Freetown, Sierra Leone – June 12, 2025 – The Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Wang Qing, has donated a cheque of $50,000 to the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Agency to support the country’s ongoing efforts to contain the Mpox outbreak.
This financial assistance comes as Sierra Leone continues to grapple with the virus, with nearly 4,000 confirmed cases reported, over 3,000 recoveries, and 20 recorded deaths.
The donation is expected to reinforce emergency response initiatives and strengthen frontline health services.
In a significant development, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Sierra Leone, recently unveiled a 50-bed Mpox treatment centre in Freetown. The facility is designed to provide specialised care and improve case management while also focusing on infection prevention and control.
Beyond clinical treatment, the centre will serve as a hub for intensified surveillance, contact tracing, and public education. Health officials say it will help reduce community stigma and promote early symptom recognition through targeted risk communication.
Speaking during the launch, Dr. Sia Y. Fasuluku, District Medical Officer for the Western Urban Area, highlighted the urgency of early detection and improved diagnostics.
She emphasized that sustained public health interventions are essential to controlling transmission and minimizing severe cases.
The support from the Chinese government and the expanded partnership with MSF mark a crucial step in Sierra Leone’s fight against the Mpox outbreak.