A mobilization meeting for the third lab testing team for Sierra Leone was held at the PLA General Logistics Department's auditorium in Beijing on Jan 12. Li Shuzhang, vice-minister of the PLA General Logistics Department, and Cui Li, vice-minister of the NHFPC, attended the meeting and delivered speeches. Another mobilization meeting for the second medical aid team to Libya was held at the General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region in Chengdu on Jan 11. Lv Jiyun, vice-minister of the PLA General Logistics Department's health division, and officials from the NHFPC's Health Emergency Response Office (Public Health Emergency Command Center) were present to bid farewell to the team.

The third lab testing team left for Sierra Leone on Jan 13, and the second medical aid team went to Libya on Jan 19. Both teams would help Africa fight the epidemic. There are a total of 236 members from the 302 Military Hospital, the joint logistics department of Chengdu Military Hospital and the China CDC. So far, China has sent nearly 800 medical personnel and public health specialists to the three countries plagued by the disease, assisting them in carrying out public health personnel training, lab testing, case observation and treatment.

On behalf of the Ebola joint defense and control mechanism and the NHFPC, Cui Li pointed out that infectious disease prevention and control cuts across national boundaries. The Chinese professional team’s participation in global support for West Africa helps consolidate the traditional friendship between China and African countries, maintains China’s strategy in Africa, shows China as an international humanitarian and responsible country, plays a significant role in relieving China of pressure in domestic epidemic prevention and control, averts epidemics, accumulates experience in epidemic prevention and control, and safeguards health and safety of Chinese in Africa. Cui hoped that team members can deeply understand the meaning of the mission, live up to expectations, successfully accomplish assignments and bring more honors to China. At the same time, Cui asked team members to take care of safety protection.