The European Union (EU), with support from partners including International Organisation for Migration (IOM, has provided for Gambian frontline health and other exposed professionals locally-produced Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The Health ministry was presented the donation on Wednesday, May 20th. The donated equipment were 2000 protective suits and shoe covers, 40,000 face masks and 100 face shields.
The officials disclosed that the local production of the equipment is supported by the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa through the Youth Empowerment Project, and the EU/IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration.
In a statement by the EU delegation in The Gambia, the authorities affirmed that the different types of equipment are all proudly made in The Gambia and that the production helps provide alternative sources of income for local businesses. “As part of their reintegration assistance, 20 returnees have produced protective suits and shoe coverings. They had previously been trained in tailoring and received sewing equipment as part of their reintegration assistance by IOM,” the release stated.
It further indicated that the face masks are produced by small businesses and 107 tailors in rural Gambia and three training institutions, the PIA, Insight Training Centre and Fajara Training Centre, which have been transformed into production centres offering employment opportunities for young Gambians, including skilled returnees, while the face-shields are being produced by Make3D that specialises in 3D-printed solutions.
Speaking on the occasion, European Union Ambassador to The Gambia, Attila Lajos, stated that to enhance the availability of basic medical supply in The Gambia, and to create income generating activities for Gambians, the European Union and partners support the production of personal protective equipment that is made in The Gambia. He explained that the protective suits and shoe covers are meant for frontline immigration and border officials while the face masks are for frontline health workers and other exposed professionals.
“This innovative #TeamEurope initiative utilizes the skills of returnees to meet an urgent public health demand. We have yet again the proof that there is no stigma in being a returnee, and that returnees can make it here – Tekki Fii – while helping their country in times of crisis” – the EU Ambassador was quoted as saying.
He thanked IOM, International Trade Centre, Tekkifi, Youth Employment Project and the Ministries of Health and Trade, for their efforts towards the fight against COVID-19.
Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, Minister of Health said COVID-19 has caused economic hardship and has put the people around the world in lots of difficulties.
He noted that the Ministry of Health and government at large did put in place many strategies and mobilised people to create awareness about the virus well before the country registered its first confirmed COVID-19 case.
He however pointed out that while his ministry has encountered lot of challenges, it has also yielded successes. “The Gambia has the lowest number of COVID-19 cases throughout the world. The country has registered only one death,” Dr Samateh reported, asserting that this achieved through a robust contact-tracing and quarantine. He added that 70% of the cases the country registered were under quarantine.
The Health minister however warned against complacency in the fight against COVID-19.
He took the opportunity to thank the frontline health workers and the entire ministry of Health staff for their dedication towards the fight against COVID-19, and the partners for their support. He acknowledged that the face masks are very useful to the frontline health workers and other professionals and thanked the designers of the locally-made PPE for doing a good work.
“When it comes to pandemic, everyone has a role to play because it has no boundary. The borders are closed and people should strictly adhere to the regulations put in place by the government,” he remarked.
Bai Lamin Jobe, Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, having thanked the International Trade Centre and IOM for facilitating the donation of the PPE, said the production of the PPE in The Gambia will create more employment opportunities to many young people in the country.
He said his ministry has been closely working with the International Trade Centre for the empowerment of youth and women in The Gambia. Minister Jobe called on all stakeholders to support the Ministry of Health in its fight against COVID-19.
