The West African Health Organisation (WAHO), through the West Africa Epidemiological Surveillance and Laboratory Systems Strengthening Project (PROALAB), on Monday donated a DNA/RNA sequencing device to the National Public Health Reference Laboratory of the Ministry of Health.
The presentation ceremony, held at the National Emergency Treatment Centre in Farato, seeks to strengthen laboratory service delivery in the country.
The support, which combines equipment, infrastructure, skilled personnel and stronger systems for quality and regulation, is said to worth approximately €1,000,000 for the National Public Health Reference Laboratory and Central Veterinary Laboratory through PROALAB/KfW, including installation, calibration and staff training.
The equipment, in line with the objectives of the Ministry of Health, is expected to significantly help officials detect, identify and monitor infectious diseases more quickly, reliably and safely.
Dr. Olivier Manigart, Senior Team Leader of PROALAB, deputizing for the German Ambassador to The Gambia, expressed delight at the official handover of laboratory equipment procured under the PROALAB project.
“Today’s handover is about much more than equipment. It’s about preparedness, resilience and the ability to protect people’s health before an outbreak becomes a crisis. Germany has been a committed partner to The Gambia and the wider ECOWAS region for many years,” he said.
He noted that Germany supports stronger health systems, pandemic prevention, laboratory networks and the One Health approach, which recognizes the close connection between human, animal, food and environmental health.
“PROALAB strengthens epidemiological surveillance and laboratory systems across West Africa,” he said.
He also gave a synopsis of the project, which he said is financed by the German Federal Government through the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the German Development Bank, KfW, and implemented by WAHO alongside its partner institutions.
“WAHO plays an essential role in bringing countries together, building regional capacities and ensuring that health threats can be addressed collectively,” he added.
Through partnership with WAHO, he said, German support reaches national and regional reference laboratories across West Africa, including The Gambia.
“In The Gambia, PROALAB supports two important national laboratories — the National Public Health Laboratory, in whose new premises we are gathered today, and the National Veterinary Laboratory in Banjul under the Ministry of Livestock.”
Supporting both laboratories, he added, reflects the One Health approach.
“Strengthening diagnostic capacities in human and animal health is essential for detecting and responding to diseases that may emerge, spread or cross borders,” he said.
“The equipment handover today includes modern laboratory equipment, reagents and consumables.”
He also highlighted other interventions in The Gambia, including support to the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia in Fajara as a centre of excellence for genomic sequencing and the training of specialists.
Musa Camara, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, speaking on behalf of the Minister, commended WAHO for the gesture and acknowledged the sub-regional health body’s contribution to improving the socio-economic development of the country.
DPS Camara described health as crucial and a gateway towards attaining sustainable development goals for health and well-being.
He expressed appreciation to the partners and the German Ambassador, saying the donation would go a long way towards strengthening the country’s socio-economic development needs.
For his part, Professor Palokinam T. Pitche, Director General of WAHO, gave a brief outline of WAHO’s support to laboratory systems in The Gambia. He highlighted support for laboratory infrastructure and equipment, workforce development and technical competencies, and policy and regulatory strengthening, alongside achievements and priorities for sustained progress.
He commended the leadership of Minister Samateh in managing the health system of The Gambia, saying WAHO’s mandate is to promote the highest possible standard and protection of health in the region through policy harmonization, pooling of resources and cooperation among Member States and partners.
Also speaking, Dr. Mamadou Diarrassouba, Executive Director of ECOWAS-RCSDC, said their support amounts to over one million euros for lab equipment for the Public Health Reference Lab and the Central Veterinary Laboratory through collaboration with PROALAB, including installation, calibration and staff training.
“Our support for the laboratory focuses on two institutions — the National Public Health Laboratory and the Central Veterinary Laboratory. Both reflect our support according to the One Health Approach,” he said.
Beyond that, he said, they have also worked to improve the lab system and quality through training on lab quality assessment and mentorship to improve the quality score.
“I think we are increasing the lab score to three stars now,” he said.
He indicated that their contribution combines equipment, skilled personnel and stronger systems for quality and regulation.
Dr. Diarrassouba added that WAHO remains committed to working with The Gambia and its partners on these priorities.
“I thank the Government of The Gambia for its leadership, Germany and KfW for their support through PROALAB, UKHSA for its collaboration, and the laboratory teams for their daily commitment,” he said.
Earlier in the day the visiting WAHO DG, Professor Palokinam T. Pitche, met the minister of Health Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh at his office in Banjul.
