Freetown: The 27th batch of the Chinese medical team from Hunan Province conducted a specialized "First Responder" emergency care training program at the Central University of Sierra Leone on July 9, 2026. Composed of Associate Professor Sheng Jie and Associate Professor Gao Kelei from Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, alongside Senior Nurse Tan Yan from Hunan Cancer Hospital, the expert team delivered a standardized Chinese emergency curriculum to nearly 150 local nursing students and faculty members to support local professional development and practical health education partnerships.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the Central University serves as an essential hub for cultivating grassroots nursing and emergency response personnel. To address specific practical gaps in local emergency response, the Chinese medical team coordinated with the university's instructional needs by leveraging two microfilm training platforms: the China-Sierra Leone First Responder Training Center and the China-Sierra Leone Nursing Training Center.
The training program utilized an integrated approach combining theoretical modules with hands-on clinical simulation. Tan Yan initiated the session by breaking down the fundamental principles and legal responsibilities of immediate first-aid intervention. Gao Kelei followed with a technical analysis of airway management, detailing procedures for clearing obstructions and coordinating emergency responses. Sheng Jie concluded the lecture phase by outlining strict chronological protocols and criteria for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
During the practical segment, the lecture hall functioned as an active clinical workshop. The instructors demonstrated standardized techniques and individually reviewed each participant's compression depth, hand positioning, and rhythm. Tan Yan assisted a student with automated external defibrillator (AED) pad orientation, while Sheng Jie and Gao Kelei managed separate stations focusing on chest compressions and physical maneuvers.
To ensure standard compliance, every participating student and faculty member underwent an individual practical assessment. Those who met the operational benchmarks received an official First Responder qualification certificate on-site.
Dr. Fatmata Gegbe, head of the nursing department at the Central University of Sierra Leone, noted that the structured program directly addressed the university's practical instructional shortages, substantially improving the students' field readiness. Trainees stated that the practical skills acquired would enable them to provide immediate, reliable medical support within their communities.
This program maintains the ongoing educational cooperation between the 27th batch of the Chinese medical team and local higher education institutions. Moving forward, the medical team will continue utilizing the frameworks of the First Responder and Nursing Training Centers to manage regular emergency care outreach in local schools and communities, focusing on the structured development of local medical personnel.