By Yunus S Saliu
Supporting the Gambia health system, an international NGO, Star Up Gambia Corazón Solidario, in partnership with the government of Canary Islands officially handed over wide-ranging medical equipment to the Gambia’s Ministry of Health on Thursday, 7th May 2025 at the Ministry of Health Medical Store, Kotu in an event presided over by the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Momodou Lamin Samateh.
The high-level delegation from the government of Canary Islands supported initiative of the NGO, Star Up Gambia Corazón Solidario to the Gambia focused on health and emergency services as their mission is marked by a major donation of medical equipment highlighting a growing partnership between the two countries.
The donated items included hospital beds, mattresses, bedsheets, uniforms, wheelchairs, and other valuable equipment.
Receiving the items, Dr. Momodou Lamin Samateh, The Gambia’s Minister of Health, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the government of the Canary Islands for supporting and facilitating the campaign led by Star Up Gambia Corazón Solidario.
“This partnership is built on friendship, trust, and a shared belief in improving lives,” Minister Samateh said while noting “The health sector is vital to our country’s development, and we are grateful for this life-saving support.”
He also acknowledged the role of President Adama Barrow in supporting the collaboration and praised the dedication of all involved, especially Sonja Arup, president of Star Up Gambia Corazón Solidario, and donors of the Canary Islands including the government of the Canary Islands, Cabildo of Gran Canaria’s Department of International Solidarity, and the Emergency Consortia of Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chargée d’Affaires of the Spanish Embassy, Violeta Insa Enai, expressed their government’s commitment to strengthening ties with The Gambia.
“We are witnessing today, not only donations of equipment for the health sector, but also support for the fire and emergency services,” she said, while adding that the mission aims to expand collaboration into areas such as skills development, job creation, and social welfare,” she expressed.
Esther María Monzón Monzón, Minister of Health of the government of Canary Islands, described the initiative as the beginning of a larger project.
“We are just getting started,” she said, noting that this was the first of many planned visits. She praised the joint effort between public institutions and private hospitals in the Canary Islands for providing this vital equipment.
Sonja Arup, president of the NGO Star Up Gambia Corazón Solidario in the Canary Islands, who spearheaded the campaign has led the coordination efforts over two years. She highlighted their engagement and interventions.
She disclosed that the donation is over €1 million worth of medical equipment and it included hospital beds, mattresses, bedsheets, uniforms, wheelchairs, and other valuable equipment.
Also, she said they have made significant donations to Gambia Fire Rescue Services (GFRS) paramedic clinics across the country – Banjul, Serrekunda, Soma, Farafenni, Bansang, Basse, State House and Baja Kunda, and the new maternity hospital in Yundum.
“This is not just about donations, but this is targeted support based on identified needs in Gambian clinics and hospitals,” she said.
