At Bintumani Hotel, Aberdeen, west of Freetown, Sierra Leone, a new Chinese medical centre has been opened there.

Aberdeen has long been known for its hospitality in business and leisure for travelers.

Recently, the medical establishment has further solidified Aberdeen’s role as a cornerstone of community development by hosting the inauguration of the first Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Centre in Sierra Leone.

This groundbreaking event marks a significant milestone in the ongoing health cooperation between Sierra Leone and China, thus demonstrating the hotel’s deep commitment to social responsibility and healthcare advancement in the country.

The creation of the TCM Center follows the success of a three-month investigation for a community health project, which focused on addressing widespread issues of health in Sierra Leone, particularly on cases of hypertension and chronic pains among people.

These conditions are highly prevalent among local residents, and so the TCM Center was established to explore and provide solutions to certain illnesses on people through alternative medical cure.

As part of the project, free acupuncture therapy services were provided to thousands of people across five key areas of Freetown: Lumpa, Old School, Rogbangba, Mombo, and Tombo.

The initiative aims to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating common health challenges, and the results have been remarkable so far.

The hotel’s partnership with the project demonstrates its dedication to advancing health outcomes for the Sierra Leonean population.

During the inauguration ceremony, the Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation of Sierra Leone, Dr. Charles Senessie, expressed his full support for both the TCM Center and Bintumani Hotel’s involvement.

He emphasized that the establishment of the center aligns with the government’s commitment to improving healthcare across all 16 districts of Sierra Leone.

Dr. Senessie also highlighted that the TCM Centre would play a critical role in strengthening the country’s healthcare system by training local medical personnel and by sharing invaluable medical knowledge to people.

Statements on China’s support for the TCM Centre was thrown light on by Chang Shi, the Deputy Director of the Hunan Provincial Health Commission.

He praised the partnership between China and Sierra Leone, underscoring that the centre exemplifies the spirit of cooperation established at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

He also shared his appreciation for the provision in future a traditional Chinese medicine, noting that it’s s simple, cost-effective, and accessible, which makes it a valuable resource for the people of Sierra Leone.

The TCM Center has grown from a small consultation room to a fully-fledged medical facility, now equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment. This expansion, made possible by the Hunan Provincial Health Commission, has significantly enhanced the centre’s ability to serve the community, further bolstering its role in addressing prevalent health conditions.

The inauguration ceremony also featured expressions of gratitude from Dr. Umar Hassan Bangura, a representative from the community hospital, and elders from the Lumpa Community in Waterloo. They thanked all the partners, particularly those at the Bintumani Hotel, for their commitment to providing free TCM services to the people. Their words reflected profound impact the centre has already had on the local community.

As the hotel continues to support development initiatives like the establishment of TCM Centre, it remains dedicated to its role in Sierra Leone’s ongoing growth and development. The collaboration between Bintumani Hotel, the Sierra Leonean government, and international partners serves as a model of how public-private cooperation can effectively drive healthcare advancements and improve the well-being of communities in need.