The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with ChinaAid, on Wednesday 28 July 2021, handed over medical equipment worth thirty one million dalasi (D31) to the ministry of health.The presentation was held at the central medical store in Kotu.

 The medical items handed over includes 400,000 pairs of hand gloves, maternal and newborn care supplies and medical appliances, medical supplies for healthcare workers and hygiene products. The donation was funded by Chinese government and implemented by UNFPA.

 Speaking at the presentation, Ma Jain Chun, Chinese ambassador to The Gambia said the donation have come at the right time. He said the most serious pandemic in a century is still wreaking havoc in The Gambia and Africa, adding that in the face of COVID-19, the government of The Gambia and its people have taken strong measures to slow the spread of the virus.

 “China is willing to help The Gambia to improve its medical and health level through medical equipment and medicine donation, sending medical teams and Human Resources cooperation,” ambassador Ma Jain Chum said.

 He assured that the Chinese government will provide The Gambia with 200,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine as a grant in a few months. Ambassador Chun said they are working closely with the health minister Dr Samateh on the coordination and preparations for receiving the vaccines, he said.

 Mr. Kunle Adeniyi, representative of the United Nations Population Fund, expressed delight to the Chinese government for their continued support to The Gambia and for partnering with UNFPA to support the people of the Gambia as part of South cooperation effort.

 “The covid-19 pandemic has crippled health systems in the readiest of nations,” Kunle Adeniyi said. “On a daily basis, We see it’s impact on the Gambia’s healthcare system like we have never seen before.”

 Therefore, “this calls for strategic collaboration by all actors to ensure that our people, especially those often left behind are catered to put into consideration the national response and their families, communities and the nation as a whole are provided with quality care at all times” he added.

 UNFPA reaffirms their commitment to support the government of The Gambia and its people in preventing the spread of Covid-19 and ensuring the continued provision of essential health services.

 Dr Ahmad Lamin Samateh, the minister of health The Gambia expresses profound gratitude to the Chinese government and the UNFPA for the timely gesture.

 Dr Samateh said since the onset of the pandemic, China has been supportive to his ministry by providing medical assistance and also sending medical teams to The Gambia to help in the fight against the pandemic. “We are grateful to the Chinese government and the UNFPA for always supporting us,” Dr Ahmad Lamin Samateh said.

 He added that the materials handed over to his ministry will help to prevent the health workers from contracting the virus and also the people who they will be interacting with on a daily basis. He assured that the materials will be put into good use.

By Dawda Baldeh