The
People’s Republic of China has on Tuesday donated two vehicles, medicines and
medical equipment worth over D10 million to the Ministry of Health for its
preparedness efforts on coronavirus.
The
donation ceremony took place at the Central Medical Store in Kotu.
Speaking
at the ceremony, the Chinese ambassador, H.E. Ma Jianchun said with what is
happening globally on coronavirus, China has deemed it necessary to assist The
Gambia to its preparedness efforts on coronavirus. He added that this donation
is given partly to show the Chinese existing relationship with The Gambia
He added that these materials will truly assist The Gambia in improving the public health capacity, provide health care to more people and also bring more security assurance in today’s global health problem.
“Since the beginning of COVID 19 outbreak, the Chinese government puts the people’s health a priority and adopted most comprehensive and strict and control measures. Many of these measures go far beyond WHO international health regulation in 2005,” he said.
Ambassador
Ma further said that the People’s Republic of China in partnership with The
Gambia government and the Ministry of Health will work collectively to
strengthen the country’s health care system.
For
his part, Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, minister of Health expressed delights over
the support given by the Chinese government.
He
added that this is another important step from the Chinese government as they
intend to support the Gambia in its surveillance effort on coronavirus
outbreak.
“China
has been very instrumental to The Gambia’s quality health delivery system. China has helped the Gambia immensely
especially in its socio-economic development,” he said.
According
to him, Chinese government has always been very supportive to The Gambian
hospitals. He went on to assure the Chinese government through its ambassador
that the donated materials will be put in good use.
Modou
Lamin Jaiteh, permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, said that the handing
over was an very important milestone from the People’s Republic of China,
noting that this two vehicles and medical equipment will go a long way in
enhancing quality health care delivery in the country.
He
added that this donation cannot come at a better time than this as The Gambia
is fighting to prevent the country from coronavirus.
Hon.
Ousman Sillah, the chairperson of the National Assembly Select Committee on
Health also expressed delight over the gesture. According to him, this is one
of the many interventions from the Chinese government to the government of The
Gambia.
“The
partnership between China and The Gambia is been long and it is still going
from strength to strength,” he said.
