26 October 2016 - The WHO Country Office (WCO) recently presented an assortment of medical supplies, non-medical supplies and equipment to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoH) in Banjul in support of national emergency preparedness and response efforts. These items were purchased using the European Union and World Bank Funds. The items presented to the ministry of Health and Social Welfare included Technical guidelines and standard operating procedures, medical supplies and equipment, medical and non-medical supplies, infection prevention and control materials and furniture. The total cost/ worth of the donated materials amounted to US110, 000.00.

The items presented to the Ministry are part of the efforts to support proper and timely patient management; and infection prevention and control at the six of the nine official Points of Entry, Isolation Facilities in all the seven hospitals, facilities designated as Treatment centers at Sanatorium, Soma, Basse and MRC. The infection prevention and control supplies shall be distributed for use to all Health Facilities in the country.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at the MoH Stores in Kotu, Dr. Charles Sagoe-Moses, the WHO Representative in The Gambia, expressed delight to present the items to the Minister of Health, on behalf of partners to further consolidate the support to the on-going preparedness and response measures in relation to all health hazards.

He commended the Gambia government for its timely response to the Ebola situation in the neighboring countries, as manifested by the number of preparatory measures put in place to prepare the country for this deadly disease

Dr. Sagoe-Moses said he believes that an emergency of this nature poses far-reaching health, economic and social implications to individuals, families, the health system and the country at large, and that the country must be adequately prepared for this.
This was why the WHO and partners deemed it fit to respond as a single entity to these challenges, rather than intervening within individual domains, he further stated, that WHO was requested by all the partners to coordinate and lead this effort in the country.

He highlighted some of the interventions already undertaken by WHO and partners in support to the development and implementation of a National Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Response Plan; Training of Trainers for doctors and nurses; briefing of the Gambia Medical and Dental Council and briefing doctors and other health workers at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH).

He finally reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to support The Gambia in all its efforts to prepare for the all hazards related to Health through its partners.
In receiving the donated items, Hon. Omar Sey, Minister for Health and Social Welfare described the do-nation as “Very Timely”. He stressed the importance of close collaboration between WHO, other UN agencies, NaNA and partners with the Ministry of Health.

He reassured Dr. Charles Sagoe-Moses that the materials received will be used appropriately and will be distributed to all official Points of Entry, identified EVD treatment centres and Isolation units in selected hospitals throughout the country.
He finally thanked the UN and other partners through WHO for their support to the government of The Gambia

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For more details, please contact: Mr. Momodou Gassama, Health Promotion Officer, gassamam [at] gm.afro.who.int (gassamam[at]gm[dot]afro[dot]who[dot]int)—(+220)- 4462286 Mr. George. Williams, Health Information Assistant, williamsg [at] gm.afro.who.int (williamsg[at]gm[dot]afro[dot]who[dot]int)—(+220) 4462284.