The tour, was basically to assess the level of progress and quality of those health projects ahead of their official handover to government.
On day one of the tour, Minister Samateh and delegation visited the National Food and Drug Laboratory in Brusubi, where last minutes work intensify ahead of its official hand over at end of month.
Speaking to journalists after a conducted tour Minister Samateh expressed delight with the level of progress made thus far.
He said in respect of the lab, they want it to start functioning so that all medicines coming into the country are tested and to also help in post marketing surveillance.
"So even drugs in the country that were tested, Medical Control Agency (MCA) will have the opportunity to go into any pharmacy at any pick some samples and bring for testing. I think this is a plus for the country."
The site, he went on, also houses the National testing component within it, adding that the facility will enable people test all food-related ingredients that is consumed in the country.
He said that The Gambian leader doesn’t compromise quality and that he makes sure any project he undertakes the quality is there to serve posterity.
Minster Samateh acknowledged that President Barrow has embarked on national building and that the latter cannot be accomplished without having solid infrastructures that will be there for posterity.
He expressed satisfaction with the level of progress made, calling on contractors to do their utmost and deliver quality work.
Elsewhere, he visited the ongoing construction of the Central Medical Stores (CMS) Administrative Building in Lamin. Here, Minister Samateh explained that the project is being funded by government and partners in their quest to help strengthen the country’s health care sector.
"This is going to be our new Central Medical Stores. We realized that the Central Medical Store we have at Kotu is no longer fit for purpose because it’s too small; even the structure itself it not in very good shape. So partners such as Global Fund and World Bank and others like World Health Organization are also giving us the moral, technical and financial support to ensure that we strengthen the health system and good supply chain management."
Minister Samateh acknowledged that to be able to have enough drugs in the country, there is need for effective and appropriate storage, so that the country can buy enough drugs as much as possible under good storage conditions to end drug shortage.
He expressed delight with the level of progress made thus far, adding they wanted the finishing to be a quality and beautiful one.
Also speaking, Nathan Bakyaita, representative of the World Health Organization in The Gambia, couldn’t hide his impression with the level of ongoing works.
He alluded to the fact that health is an investment, noting that “your health is your wealth.”
The WHO country rep. underscored the importance of these facilities, indicating that they are critical pillars in the development of any country’s health systems.
Commenting on the National Food and Drug Lab in Brusubi, Bakyaita noted that the purpose of that facility is to ensure that the drugs coming into the country are of quality and therefore we are sure they will do the work they’re supposed to be.
"But also, also when medicines come into the country you have to periodically go and pick samples and find out where they are still efficacious after having being stored in food conditions."
He acknowledged that investing in health is contributing to ‘our future wealth.’
Similarly, the minister and delegation also inspected ongoing works in the first phase of the National Emergency Treatment Centre in Farato, which will bethe country’s new teaching hospital, boosting of increase bed capacity and latest tech gadgets.
At the site, works was near complete and the minister and delegation were highly impressed with the ongoing level of works.
The Minister and delegation wrapped up the day’s tour with a visit to the Bwiam General Hospital, where rehabilitation works are on course.
