By Ohenenana Kofinipa
One good turn, our Elders say, deserves another.
Though eight Chinese medical personnel – seven doctors and a nurse – have been infected with the deadly Ebola virus from treating Sierra Leonean victims of the disease in two hospitals, the Chinese Government has sent another 10 medics to the Freetown Ebola war front.
Additionally China has sent to each of the three Mano River Basin countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia a US$1.63 million Ebola supply package to assist in the their separate fights against the Ebola epidemic.
Giving an insight into the Chinese magnanimity at a press conference in Freetown, Chinese Ambassador Zhao Yanbo, disclosed that the government and people of China were paying a debt of gratitude to the three countries
He quashed speculation that the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone would close down, stressing that they are still working and helping the Government and people of Sierra Leone.
“The Chinese working in aid projects at Charlotte, Port Loko and Makali will continue to work and they have been warned to take all necessary preventions (precautions) as they continue their work”, adding that China would stay close to Sierra Leone because of mutual respect and friendship.
He recalled that in 2008, when the Sichuan earthquake took place, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea made a combined donation of 64 million Yuan, while for the recent .earthquake in Liu Dian Yunan Province, President Koroma had written a letter to President Xi Jinping expressing his heartfelt condolences for such a natural disaster.
In 1970, Sierra Leone was one of the African countries that voted for China to be a member of the Security Council, the Chinese envoy said.
“With all these, my country has the right to stand by Sierra Leone whenever they have challenges”, Ambassador Yanbo pledged, and expressed optimism that very soon the Ebola outbreak would be contained and eliminated in the sub-region.