A trailblazing milestone in Sierra Leone’s fight against cervical cancer was celebrated on March 5, 2025 with the release of results and the award ceremony for the first national Human Papillomavirus (HPV) screening project. Held at the Ministry of Health, the event drew key figures, including Dr. Xia Yinyin, Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, Dr. Sartie M. Kenneh, Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health and Dr. Med Mustapha Kabba, Deputy Chief Medical Officer. Representatives from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Hunan Provincial Health Commission were also present to mark this significant achievement.

Led by Dr. Chen Zhihui, head of the 25th batch of the Chinese Medical Team to Sierra Leone, the HPV screening project has proven instrumental in enhancing the nation's efforts to prevent cervical cancer. During the ceremony, Dr. Chen presented a comprehensive report outlining the project’s objectives, implementation strategies and impressive results. The initiative has garnered widespread acclaim from both the Sierra Leone government and international health organizations like UNFPA and WHO.

In recognition of the exceptional contributions made through this collaboration, the Ministry of Health and UNFPA held a prestigious award ceremony. The Hunan Provincial Health Commission was honored with the "Outstanding Contribution to Public Health Service Award." Dr. Chen Zhihui received the "Outstanding Contribution to National Cervical Cancer Prevention" award, while Shengxiang Biotechnology Co., Ltd. was acknowledged with the "National Public Health Contribution Award." Leone Rock Metal Group also received the "Corporate Social Responsibility Award."

Dr. Xia Yinyin, Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, commended the strengthened partnership between China and Sierra Leone in advancing public health. She reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting African nations in improving health outcomes, particularly in the fight against cervical cancer. Dr. Xia emphasized that the success of the HPV screening project exemplifies the growing medical and health collaboration between the two nations and reflects China’s ongoing global efforts to combat cervical cancer.

Dr. Sartie M. Kenneh, Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health, highlighted the significance of the project in addressing cervical cancer, a major health threat to women in Sierra Leone. He expressed gratitude for the advanced technology and professional support provided by the Chinese Medical Team, which has played a pivotal role in filling gaps in early cervical cancer screening and advancing Sierra Leone's national "Cervical Cancer Elimination" strategy. Dr. Sartie Kenneh emphasized that the Government would use the project as a foundation to expand future cooperation with China to strengthen the national cervical cancer prevention system.

Dr. Dan Okoro, Chief Gynecologist at UNFPA, referred to the screening initiative as a landmark achievement for Sierra Leone’s public health sector. He praised the Chinese Medical Team for their resourcefulness and expertise, which have laid the groundwork for a scalable model for cervical cancer prevention in developing countries. Dr. Okoro reiterated UNFPA’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s cervical cancer prevention efforts in alignment with WHO’s "90-70-90" global goals.

Chang Shi, Deputy Director of the Hunan Provincial Health Commission, underscored the importance of women’s health in the collaboration between Hunan and Sierra Leone. He shared insights on the Commission’s role in advancing the cervical cancer screening project, including providing state-of-the-art screening equipment and deploying technical experts to Sierra Leone. Looking ahead, Chang Shi reaffirmed Hunan’s commitment to deepening its cooperation with Sierra Leone and exploring further health initiatives that contribute to the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

The event marks the beginning of a new phase in Sierra Leone’s cervical cancer prevention efforts, reinforcing the strong partnership between China and Sierra Leone. It stands as a symbol of this enduring friendship and a key milestone in China’s continued support for Sierra Leone’s public health development. With China’s unwavering commitment, both countries are poised to continue advancing global health and achieving further milestones in the battle against cervical cancer.