The exercise, organised as part of the hospital's regular Set-Setal activities, brought together 45 soldiers and officers from the Nigerian contingent of ECOMIG, led by its Contingent Commander, as well as 30 personnel from DLEAG.
Speaking during the exercise, the Administrator of Kanifing General Hospital, Baboucarr Saine, underscored the importance of environmental cleanliness, particularly within healthcare facilities.
"Environmental sanitation is a routine activity undertaken by the hospital, especially during the rainy season, to maintain hygiene standards and minimise the risk of infections and cross-contamination," he said.
Mr Saine noted that the participation of the two security institutions reflected the strong and cordial relationship that exists between the hospital and the country's security services.
In a statement, Lieutenant Colonel Yahya Mohammed Abdullahi, Contingent Commander of the Nigerian contingent of ECOMIG, said the participation of his personnel was in line with directives from the ECOMIG Force Commander, Colonel Alieu Tine, and formed part of the mission's civil-military cooperation initiatives.
He explained that the sanitation exercise also provided an opportunity for the contingent to reciprocate the support and quality healthcare services its personnel receive at Kanifing General Hospital.
Colonel Abdullahi revealed that ECOMIG's contributions to local communities extend beyond sanitation programmes, noting that the mission's medical facility also provides healthcare services to Gambian civilians and members of the security services.
He further expressed the contingent's readiness to extend similar support to other healthcare institutions, including the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital.
The ECOMIG commander also highlighted a number of the mission's community outreach initiatives, including the provision of food supplies and educational materials to families of fallen heroes.
Meanwhile, Fally Sonko, Officer Commanding DLEAG's Kanifing Municipal Command, said the agency's participation was motivated by the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment, particularly in healthcare settings.
He used the occasion to urge young people to stay away from illicit drugs and drug trafficking, stressing that combating drug abuse requires collective efforts from security agencies, communities and the wider public.
Mr Sonko emphasised that environmental cleanliness and public health remain shared responsibilities that demand the participation of all stakeholders.
