By Alieu Amara Suwu
A team of medical doctors comprising surgeons from China, the 23rd Batch Medical Team has successfully completed an acetabulum fracture surgery.
The first of its kind surgery which took about five hours was done on Wednesday, 21 December 2022, at the Sierra Leone China Friendship Hospital situated in Jui.
In an interview with Dr. Tang Wu, an orthopedic surgeon and a consultant in this regard said that surgery is the highest standard of surgery in China, and one of the most complicated medical operations. Dr. Tang explained that the patient got injured by falling from high a building. Dr. Tang said the surgery was freely done due to the good relationship between Sierra Leone and China. He expressed how, through the collective efforts of the Sierra Leonean doctors, they were able to successfully do the surgery. He added that was also pleased to see nurses in Sierra Leone to be part of the first complicated medical operation in Sierra Leone.
‘We are making history in Sierra Leone because of the perfect relationship between the two countries. This is why the Chin government sends specialized medical doctors every year to train Sierra Leoneans medical doctors on specialized surgical operations. As doctors from China we are going to continue to give medical services to the people of Sierra Leone,’ said Dr Tang.
Zhou Xi, 23 Batch Chinese Medical Team Leader, said the team is in Sierra Leone to help the people of Sierra Leone with medical services. Xi said the concluded acetabulum fracture surgery in Sierra Leone is a demonstration of the commitment the people of China have to enhance the relationship. She pointed out that the just concluded acetabulum fracture surgery is free of cost and is one of the most complicated medical operations. According to the team leader the Chinese Medical team has over years been rendering medical operation service to the people of Sierra Leone but that acetabulum fracture operation is the first in the history of Sierra Leone.
She maintained that the Chinese Medical team will continue to uphold the existing collaboration with the Sierra Leonean doctors for good medical service delivery. She reiterated that since they came to Sierra Leone, the Chinese Medical Team has been training doctors in Sierra Leone on major surgical operations as well as good medical service delivery to the people of Sierra Leone.
Zhou Xi assured the Sierra Leone Government and the people of Sierra Leone of continuing efforts to deliver medical services.
Dr Abdulai Bah, the Resident Surgeon, delightfully expressed gratitude to the Chinese Medical Team Leader, Zhou Xi, and Otheorthopedic, Dr. Tang Wu for mentoring medical doctors in Sierra Leone, adding that he is part of the acetabulum fracture surgical operation where they learned a lot.
He added that the country should applaud the Chinese Medical Team for making Sierra Leone proud in terms of giving medical services delivery in the country.
An acetabular fracture is a break in your acetabulum. Your acetabulum is the socket part of the hip joint. Acetabular fracture types are classified by pattern and severity. Acetabular fractures are painful injuries that usually require surgery. Complications such as hip arthritis can arise due to the cartilage that surrounds your hip socket.
