By Alhagie Babou Jallow
The People’s Republic of China (PRC), on Tuesday donated two vehicles, medicine and medical instruments worthy of ten millions Dalasis to The Gambian Ministry of Health at a presentation ceremony held at Kotu Medical Store.
In his delivery speech, H.E Ambassador MA Jianchun, said as Gambia’s sincere friend and partner, China decided to provide this batch of medical donation as “a reflection of the valuable brotherly ties between governments and peoples of both our countries. I hope these materials could truly assist The Gambia in improving its public health capacity, provide health care to more people and bring to the Gambian public more security and assurance in today’s global health situation."
He added that since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chinese government put the people’s health as its priority and adopted the most comprehensive and strict prevention and control measures. Many of these measures go far beyond the WHO’s International Health Regulations (2005). At present, the daily new infection case number in China is declining; the number of discharged patients is rising steadily and quickly. With such positive trends emerging, China is even more confident in fighting the outbreak and has full capability and determination in keeping the outbreak under control and preventing its rebound.
China and The Gambia have a long history of tradition in cooperating in the area of health. China has dispatched a total of 15 medical teams, over 180 doctors to work in The Gambia and has helped The Gambia build 4 health centres. Since 2017, the Chinese government has consecutively sent three medical teams to The Gambia, treating over 10,000 Gambian patients. “We partnered with Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in co-building a gynaecology centre. We held the “Brightness Action” campaign in which Chinese experts in treating cataract, helped over 200 Gambian patients regain their vision. Moreover, we have been supporting the Gambian Government’s HIV/AIDS sensitization activities, donating medical equipment and supplies to several Gambian hospitals and sending Gambian health professionals to China for technical training. These measures are implementation of the “health care initiative”, one of the eight major initiatives announced by H.E. Chinese President Xi Jinping in the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit. These measures are also an epitome of the China-Gambia friendship in the new century.” The Ambassador elaborated.
He went on “to build an even stronger China-Africa community with a shared future” is the consensus reached by Chinese and African Heads of States at the 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit. China upholds the principles of “sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith” and a right approach to justice and interests in its cooperation with Africa, and attach high importance to African countries independent and sustainable development.”
Currently, China-Gambia relations are developing steadily and quickly. China supports Gambian Government in its implementation of the National Development Plan (NPD) and its efforts in building “New Gambia” and is ready to keep deepening the bilateral cooperation in the area of health and beyond. “We will coordinate with the Ministry of Health in carrying out activities to benefit people living in Gambia’s remote provincial areas, and to conduct the second “Brightness Action” campaign when the COVID-19 outbreak is overcome. We will further invite more Gambian health professionals and practitioners to training programs to be held in China.” The Ambassador promised.
Receiving donation, the Minister of Health, Dr Ahmed Lamin Samateh, expressed gratitude to People’s Republic of China for their continuing support to health sector in ensuring quality health services delivery. He said just four months ago, they meet the “Chinese Embassy for support and they responded to our proposal because my Ministry are embarking to establish a health services monitoring team, and travelling medical team and these two vehicles is meant for that more sure on issues of Corona Virus.”
He assured them that the donated item would for what it mean for.
The permanent Secretary of the ministry of health Muhammed Jaiteh described the donation as timely and important," we have been receiving countless supports from the People’s Republic of China in the areas of capacity building and materials support" Jaiteh noted.
He when on to say that his Ministry are working round the clock in using all preventing measure need in the protection of corona virus in the country.
The Chairman of National Assembly Select Committee on Health, Honorable Ousman Sillah acknowledged the cordial relationship of the two countries and very rare and the Government of The Gambia are very pleased with the Chinese Government for their intervention anytime they needed. “Their support is commendable by people of Gambia and the donated item at a better time when they are in very crucial moment in combating the corona outbreak.” He said.
