Chinese Medical Team Conducts Free Medical Clinic on World Hypertension Day
By Correspondent: Wang Jinwei
232news –
May 17, 2026, marks World Hypertension Day. At the invitation of the District Health Management Team (DHMT) of the Ministry of Health of Sierra Leone, the 27th Chinese (Hunan) Medical Team to Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Hospital, conducted a multidisciplinary free medical clinic and chronic disease screening activity at the Waterloo Community Health Center (Chris Brownlee Wellness Center). Under the theme of “Delivering Medical Care, Health Education, and Chinese Culture,” the event aimed to implement the China-Africa Health Cooperation Initiative and enhance chronic disease prevention awareness and health levels among local primary communities.
The medical clinic commenced at 9:00 a.m., drawing a large number of local residents. The medical team’s logistics group worked closely with local staff to orderly guide residents through registration, temperature measurement, and blood pressure and blood glucose screenings. According to statistics, the clinic provided medical consultations and treatments to over 250 person-times.
During the basic screenings and clinical diagnoses, the medical experts identified a severe situation regarding local hypertension control. The prevalence rate of hypertension among the patients reached 50% to 60%. Due to local dietary habits and a general lack of regular physical examinations, several patients presented with extremely high-risk blood pressure levels (exceeding 200/100 mmHg), with the highest recorded systolic pressure exceeding 220 mmHg. Owing to racial characteristics and long-term physiological tolerance, most of these patients exhibited no obvious self-perceived symptoms despite these critical clinical values. In response, Associate Professor Sheng Jie, a cardiovascular specialist from Xiangya Hospital, immediately administered emergency anti-hypertensive treatment on-site and formulated standardized, individualized treatment and follow-up plans for the patients.
To alleviate the shortage of primary healthcare resources and address the coexistence of multiple diseases in the community, the medical team adopted a multidisciplinary joint consultation model. While focusing on hypertension screening and treatment, the clinic also covered various common specialized diseases. Orthopedic and general surgery experts conducted detailed physical examinations and routine treatments for musculoskeletal strains, degenerative arthritis, and common surgical conditions caused by heavy physical labor. Infectious disease specialists provided professional advice on the daily prevention, early identification, and standardized treatment of tropical infectious diseases based on local climate characteristics. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) experts offered clinical guidance and consultations on acupuncture and moxibustion for patients with chronic pain, demonstrating the practices of traditional Chinese medicine to the local public. During the pharmacy distribution phase, pharmacists and clinicians distributed free antihypertensive medications along with various other common drugs, including anti-inflammatory analgesics, gastrointestinal regulators, antibiotics, and anti-mosquito or anti-heatstroke supplies, with detailed dosage instructions clearly labeled. Meanwhile, physicians utilized bilingual medical brochures to educate residents on multidisciplinary disease prevention, scientific medication, and rational dietary habits.
The event received high commendation from Sierra Leonean health officials and the local community. Mr. Kiskama Fomba Swarray, Principal Public Health Superintendent of the Western Area Rural District Health Management Team (DHMT), expressed his sincere appreciation to the medical team after the event. He noted that the multidisciplinary clinic provided timely and professional treatment to many residents lacking medical resources, expressing hope for further communication and cooperation in primary chronic disease management between the two nations.
Associate Professor Sheng Jie stated that this World Hypertension Day theme activity marks a solid step in primary medical assistance by the 27th batch of the medical team. Moving forward, the team will continue to utilize the China-Sierra Leone Friendship Hospital as a base to advance chronic disease education, early cardiovascular screenings, and academic exchanges, safeguarding the health of the local population and deepening China-Sierra Leone friendship.
