On August 18, 2021, 200,000 vials of COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Sino-pharm, 201,600 pieces of syringes, 40,000 Novel Coronavirus Nucleic Acid Diagnostic Kits and 50,000 Novel Coronavirus Antigen Detection Kits donated by the Chinese government to Sierra Leone were formally handed over to the government of Sierra Leone.

The handover ceremony was done at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.

H.E. Chinese Ambassador Hu Zhangliang, Hon. Minister of Health and Sanitation Dr. Austin Demby, Hon. Chairman of NaCOVERC Dr. Sheku. F. Bangura and other dignitaries, friends and representatives graced the hand-over ceremony.

Ambassador Hu said that this donation is meant for further supporting Sierra Leone’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and it is one of China’s concrete actions in implementing the solemn commitments made by H.E. President Xi Jinping.

Hon. Minister Demby and Hon. Chairman of NaCOVERC Bangura, on behalf of H.E. President Maada Bio, thanked China for the kind donation. Hon. Minister Demby highlighted that China is the most responsive country when Sierra Leone needs help and the vaccines provided by China are safe and efficacious.