The ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on 12 October 2012 presented 240 wheelchairs to The Gambia.
A news release issued by the ROC embassy in Banjul revealed that the Minister of Health and Social Welfare Ms. Fatim Badjie received the wheelchairs on behalf of the Gambia government.
The items were presented at a ceremony held at the embassy grounds in Bakau, and was attended by the Health minister and representatives of various beneficiary hospitals.
Meanwhile, the release added that out of the donated 240 wheelchairs, 80 will be used by the ministry of Health.
“The rest will be distributed to hospitals mainly the RVTH, Serrekunda Hospital, Jammeh Foundation for Peace Hospital and Brikama Major Health Centre,” it added.
In his remarks, Ambassador Samuel Chen said that this week’s presentation marked the fourth wheelchair donation from the Pushein Foundation, a Buddism charitable organization in Taiwan.
“We are very glad that the NGO of Taiwan can extend their charity action to The Gambia. Love is beyond religion, national boundary, race and culture. NGOs active engagement in international aid is always very welcomed,” he said.
In receiving the items on behalf of the recipients, Ms. Fatim Badjie expressed her profound gratitude and appreciation to Ambassador Chen and the Pushein Foundation for the gesture.
She said that the intervention of Taiwan Government in many health programs benefits the people of The Gambia a lot, considering that there are hundreds of people who need the wheelchairs.
She assured the Taiwanese that the Health ministry will make good use of them to help those in need.
