Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong has arrived in Freetown for a high-level commemoration marking ten years since the 2014 Ebola outbreak, a tragedy that claimed thousands of lives and reshaped Sierra Leone’s health sector.
The visiting Vice Premier was hosted on Wednesday by Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, at an event dedicated to reflecting on the country’s recovery and honoring the victims of the epidemic.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Jalloh described the outbreak as “one of the most painful chapters Sierra Leone has ever lived through,” noting that the crisis severely tested national systems but also catalyzed key reforms.
He praised the courage of frontline health workers and citizens who sacrificed their lives, stressing that their legacy continues to guide the country’s rebuilding efforts.
Dr. Jalloh also highlighted China’s role as an early and decisive partner during the epidemic. “China was among the first to respond,” he said, recalling the rapid establishment of treatment centers and deployment of medical teams who worked alongside Sierra Leonean professionals. He expressed the government’s continued gratitude for what he described as timely and lifesaving support.
As the country reflects on a decade of recovery, the Vice President emphasized that the lessons of Ebola remain central to national policy.
“Ebola taught us that health security is national security,” he said. “Today, we honor those we lost and reaffirm our commitment to building a safer and more resilient Sierra Leone.”
