By Sering Mass Jallow
The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) Thursday presented ambulances, vehicles and equipment to Gambia’s Health Ministry.
The donation consisting of 10 ambulances, two Toyota Prado Land Cruisers, medical, laboratory and Information Communication Technology (ICT) equipment was made through the regional COVID-19 Response Project financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The donation was presented during a ceremony held at the Arch 22 Memorial in Banjul and was attended by senior government officials, cabinet ministers, representatives of international organisations and development partners.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Muhammed B.S. Jallow described the intervention as a demonstration of regional solidarity and strategic partnership in addressing critical health challenges in West Africa.
“This ceremony is a testament to the power of regional solidarity and strategic partnership in addressing our most fundamental challenges; the health and well-being of our people,” he said.
The Vice President noted that WAHO’s support represented a significant investment in The Gambia’s health sector, adding that collective efforts among ECOWAS member states and development partners could deliver meaningful results that directly improve the lives of citizens.
Minister of Health, Dr Amadou Lamin Samateh described the donation as unprecedented, saying the ministry had never received such a large-scale contribution of ambulances and equipment from a single institution.
“We have never had such a donation of ambulances from any institution with this large number at once,” Samateh remarked.
He commended WAHO for its continued partnership with The Gambia’s health sector, particularly in strengthening capacity building and improving healthcare delivery.
Meanwhile, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, said the donation represented a major milestone in the collective efforts of ECOWAS, WAHO and development partners towards strengthening regional health security.
He called for proper management, protection and sustainability of the donated assets to ensure that they continue to serve the Gambian population and future generations.
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