A Guinean patient suffering from a life-threatening heart condition has made a remarkable recovery in Sierra Leone following treatment by a Chinese medical team, underscoring the growing impact of China–Africa health cooperation, hospital officials said on Friday.
The patient, 56-year-old Mohamed Bal from neighbouring Guinea, had battled an undiagnosed cardiac illness for four years despite seeking treatment in multiple countries. His condition deteriorated to the point where he was unable to walk or lie flat, significantly affecting his quality of life.
After learning about the China-aided cardiac care unit (CCU) at the Sierra Leone–China Friendship Hospital in Freetown, Bal travelled to Sierra Leone in search of specialised treatment, overcoming language barriers as a French-speaking patient.
Upon arrival, doctors described his condition as critical. Medical examinations showed a dangerously low blood pressure reading of 74/50 mmHg and an ejection fraction of just 30 percent, indicating severe heart failure.
A team from the 27th batch of the Chinese medical mission, including doctors Sheng Jie and Zhou Cheng, conducted comprehensive diagnostic assessments and identified the condition as mitral stenosis combined with dilated cardiomyopathy.
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Given the severity of his illness, the medical team initiated intensive treatment at the cardiac care unit, closely monitoring his progress and providing targeted interventions to stabilise his heart function.
Hospital officials said the patient responded positively to treatment, with his condition improving steadily over the course of his hospitalisation. He has since regained mobility, is able to perform normal daily activities and is expected to be discharged on Saturday after completing his treatment.
Medical staff described the recovery as a significant clinical success, given the advanced stage of heart failure at the time of admission.
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Expressing gratitude to the medical team, Bal said he was thankful for the care he received and planned to return to Guinea for follow-up consultations and continued monitoring.
“I am very grateful to the doctors who gave me a second chance at life,” he said, according to hospital sources.
Dauda Sesay, doctor-in-charge of the CCU at the Sierra Leone–China Friendship Hospital, said the case highlights the growing capabilities of the facility and the importance of international medical cooperation in expanding access to specialised care in West Africa.
He said the hospital is increasingly serving as a regional referral centre for complex cardiac cases, benefiting patients from across neighbouring countries.
Officials noted that the success story reflects broader efforts under China–Sierra Leone health cooperation programmes, which have included medical team deployments, infrastructure support and capacity building aimed at strengthening local healthcare systems.
The Sierra Leone–China Friendship Hospital, established with Chinese support, has become a key institution for specialised treatment in the country, particularly in cardiology and other advanced medical fields.
Health professionals involved in the case said the outcome demonstrates how coordinated medical expertise and cross-border cooperation can improve survival rates for patients with complex conditions that are difficult to treat locally.
As Bal prepares for discharge, hospital officials say his recovery stands as an example of the growing role of international partnerships in addressing critical healthcare gaps across the region.
