Foreign minister signs delivery note of medical supplies donated to gov’t

Dr. Mamadou Tangara received the donated items from the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Ma Jianchun, at a ceremony held at the Banjul International Airport. Foreign Minister Tangara in turn handed over the items to the Health Minister, Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh.

The donated items include 10,032 Covid -19 test kits, 10,000 protective face masks for medical use, 100,000 surgical face masks, 5,000 disposable protective clothing, 3,000 disposable medical goggles, 3,000 disposable surgical gloves and 3,000 disposable shoe covers.

Minister Tangara indicated that the donation which was the second of its kind from the Government of the People’s Republic of China demonstrated that China and The Gambia are not only friends but partners. “China has yet again shown that it is indeed committed to building a community with shared future for mankind and as always, is acting as a responsible country in joining hands with the rest of the world to curb the spread of the virus and eventually defeat COVID -19,” he added.

Minister Tangara noted that the President of the People’s Republic of China, President Xi Jinping, has taken personal command of the pandemic and continues to oversee the general situation by pointing the way forward in the fight against the deadly pandemic. The Honourable Minister observed that China continues to show empathy with countries all over the world but more so with African countries by providing humanitarian support for the second time in two months to all 53 African countries with the donation of the much–needed protective personal equipment and other medical supplies for the protection of medical personnel and people.

The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, thanked the Chinese Government through the Chinese Embassy in Banjul and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for efforts made in ensuring that the equipment arrive in the country. He said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has indicated that the pandemic is far from ending anytime soon adding that it is pertinent for countries to work together for the common interest of both people.

In handing over the medical supplies, the Chinese Ambassador Ma Jianchun indicated that the gesture demonstrated China’s sincere care for The Gambia and the cordial friendship between the two countries.

He recalled that The Gambia and African countries have been supportive to China during its trying times, noting that China therefore deems it necessary to extend hands to African countries since start of the epidemic.

Ambassador Ma said it is therefore crucial to synergise efforts in the fight against COVID -19 since the virus has no respect for borders and ethnicity.

The ceremony was moderated by Foreign Ministry’s Communications officer, Mr. Saikou Ceesay.