China plans 1,000 more staff to fight Ebola in Africa

BEIJING - China plans to send over 1,000 medical workers and experts to West Africa in the coming months in its latest bid to aid African countries' fight against the Ebola virus.

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A team of 12 public health trainers will leave for Sierra Leone on Sunday, according to a document issued at a conference on the aid programs held by the National Health and Family Planning Commission on Wednesday.

A team of virus testing experts from China's national disease control center and another team of high commissioners from the Chinese government to coordinate the country's assisting forces will also set off later this month, the document said.

In the months to come, more than 1,000 medical workers and public health experts will be sent by China to assist in the battle against Ebola in West African countries, according to the country's plan

To date, China has sent a total of 252 people to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the three hardest-hit countries, and there are still 134 people who are currently working there.

The commission's document said controlling the spread of the disease will be one focus in future assistance.

With experience in prevention and control during the SARS epidemic, Chinese trainers will help provide training for local medical workers, grassroots administrators, community leaders, government staff, students and volunteers in the three countries and neighboring countries at risk for the epidemic.

It is expected that 10,000 people will receive the training.