Minister of Health of the Republic of The Gambia Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh was the pivot for Thursday, 14th May virtual meeting of the Commonwealth Health Ministers.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting, themed ‘Delivering a Coordinated Commonwealth Response to COVID-19’ the Gambian Health minister stated that the Health Ministers’ meeting is an annual event aimed to discuss the challenges of the health sector in the respective Commonwealth member countries and also to share country experiences, challenges and recommendations.
He pointed out the timely need for nations to come together and collectively fight against COVID -19.
Dr Samateh went on to inform member countries that The Gambia has registered twenty-three COVID-19 cases and that four regions have been affected in the country.
On the challenges, he said the country is experiencing pushback in its attempt to enforce social distancing.
However, the minister said despite the challenges the country is doing its utmost best to curb the spread of COVID-19 like other countries in the world.
For her part, Right Hon Patricia Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, first called for a minute silence to remember all the front line health workers and others who died of Corona virus and prayed for the departed souls.
She pointed out that COVID-19 has the potentials to jeopardise the universal Health Coverage and the economy of the world. She observed that many pregnant women are suffering to attend antenatal as a result of COVID- 19, as well as refugees and those living in slums are living in hard condition due to the pandemic.
She thanked governments for providing data to the Commonwealth on COVID-19, noting that the sharing and networking will help in developing new tools.
The Secretary General indicated the significance of the meeting in helping member countries identify challenges and share country experiences. At the end of the meeting, she announced, the Commonwealth Secretariat will issue a statement base on the outcome and recommendation of the meeting.
Madam Scotland recognizes the role of community, government and civil society in the fight against COVID-19.
Dr Tedros Adhanom, Director General of the World Health Organisation called on the World leaders to come together and fight against the corona virus.
He warned that COVID-19 will undermine the gains made over the years on maternal mortality and that the best defense against the outbreak is preparedness and global solidarity.
Mr Micheal Pearson head of delegation Canada reported that the pandemic has taken the lives of 5000 people in Canada and that the pandemic has created uncertainty and stress for countries.
Attendees of the Thursday virtual summit include regional presentations in Health ministers, deputy ministers of Health, Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Health and Commonwealth Civil Society Forum.
