By Awa Sowe
The Ministry of Health (MOH) recently received supplies worth over $500,000 USD in response to COVID-19 and other health emergencies.The Supplies were procured and delivered by UNICEF with funding from the United States through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The assistance is part of the $2 million USD project funded by the
United States to support The Gambia with vaccines, community engagement, provision of essential health supplies, sanitation and hygiene services and access to safe water.
The handed over items include medical and IT equipment, materials to facilitate acess to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services at 76 health facilities, 50 schools and 80 public places.
The Minister of Health Dr. Amadou Lamin Samateh, said that the supplies will contribute immensely in national efforts to protect more people, including the frontline heroes from COVID-19 and other diseases and also avail them the opportunity to deliver better services to the people of The Gambia.
“The Ministry of Health has made strong gains in bringing the virus under control, with more than 20% of the population now vaccinated thanks to our great teams and the support of our partners, including the US government and UNICEF.” Minister Samateh posited
The US Ambassador to The Gambia, Her Excellency Sharon L Cromer, mentioned that as part of the ongoing partnership to help preserve the good health and future of the Gambian people, this donation is the latest of many forms of assistance provided by the United States.
Moreover, Ambassador Cromer highlighted that the United States has donated more than 440,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines to The Gambia through the COVAX program, and continues to assist whenever the well-being of the Gambian people are at risk.
“We are proud to play a major role in helping Gambians stay safe and protected throughout these challenging times.” Ambassador Cromer noted.
She added that The funds provided by the United States through USAID have also helped the Ministry of Health and UNICEF work with other partners to reach more than 500,000 people across the country, providing water, sanitation and hygiene services, training to health workers in more than 50 health facilities, and engaging more than 2000 young people and religious leaders on COVID-19 prevention and vaccination.
The UNICEF country representative, Mr.Gordon Jonathan Lewis said that Health workers need the right tools and resources to save lives and families need vital health and hygiene services to live a healthy life.
He went on to explain that, these supplies are urgently needed in health facilities and communities to deliver quality health care and will also go a long way to help families affected by the recent floods with essential hygiene services and safe water.
Wrapping up the cerermony, Mr.Gordon thanked the Government of the United States for investing in the health and wellbeing of Gambians and for supporting the COVID-19 response of the country.
