By Mariatou Ngum & Abdou Mbye
The Government of The Gambia’s drive to strengthen healthcare delivery received a significant boost on Monday, 13 July as His Excellency Mohammed B.S. Jallow, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, received medical supplies valued at US$1 million from Foundation 221 on behalf of His Excellency President Adama Barrow at State House in Banjul.
The donation, consisting of two 40-foot containers filled with essential medical supplies, will be handed over to the Ministry of Health for nationwide distribution to health facilities, reinforcing the Government’s efforts to improve access to quality healthcare services across the country.
The presentation ceremony was attended by the Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service, Permanent Secretaries from the Office of the Vice President and the Ministry of Health, the Chief Medical Director of the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), advisers to the President and Vice President, senior health officials, and representatives of Foundation 221 and its partners.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Foundation 221, the organisation’s Operations Manager for The Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania and Côte d’Ivoire, Sophie Diop, said the foundation was honoured to partner with the Government of The Gambia in supporting the country’s healthcare sector.
She explained that Foundation 221 works across West Africa on humanitarian interventions, women’s empowerment, leadership development and community wellbeing, adding that its collaboration with Gambian partners over the past two years had laid the foundation for the latest donation.
Diop noted that the medical supplies were donated to President Adama Barrow as a gesture of solidarity with the Gambian people and expressed confidence that the materials would be distributed transparently to health institutions where they are needed most.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the country’s health sector, Dr. Mustapha Bittaye, Chief Medical Director of the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, described the gesture as timely and impactful.
He commended Foundation 221 and its partners, particularly Gambian partner Mr. Lamin Saidy, for their continued support to the country’s healthcare system.
Dr. Bittaye said the donated medical supplies would complement the Government’s substantial investments in strengthening healthcare services, including the recruitment of highly specialised medical professionals and the expansion of specialist services that were previously unavailable in The Gambia.
He noted that the country has made remarkable progress in attracting specialists in paediatric surgery, radiology and neonatology, reducing the need for patients to seek advanced medical care abroad.
“Government has invested significantly in strengthening our hospitals and specialist services. The next major challenge is ensuring the sustainable availability of essential medicines. This generous donation therefore comes at the right time and will greatly support healthcare delivery throughout the country,” he said.
Receiving the donation on behalf of His Excellency President Adama Barrow, Vice President Mohammed B.S. Jallow expressed profound gratitude to Foundation 221, its partners and all stakeholders who contributed to the initiative.
The Vice President reaffirmed that healthcare remains one of the Government’s highest priorities, noting that while significant progress has been made in expanding health infrastructure and specialist services, the procurement of medicines continues to require substantial financial resources.
“Access to healthcare is fundamental to national development. Building hospitals is important, recruiting specialists is equally essential, but ensuring the continuous availability of medicines remains one of the most expensive aspects of healthcare delivery,” Vice President Jallow said.
He observed that the Government continues to commit enormous resources to the health sector and therefore welcomes partnerships that complement national efforts.
The Vice President further applauded the remarkable progress made by Gambian medical professionals, highlighting the increasing availability of specialist expertise within the country as evidence of the Government’s sustained investment in human capital development.
He also acknowledged the contribution of Foundation 221 and its Gambian partners, describing the donation as a practical demonstration of international solidarity and shared commitment to improving the wellbeing of Gambians.
“On behalf of His Excellency President Adama Barrow and the Government of The Gambia, we sincerely thank Foundation 221, Mr. Lamin Saidy and all partners for this generous contribution. Every effort that supports our healthcare system and improves the lives of our people is deeply appreciated,” the Vice President stated.
The ceremony concluded with the official handover of the donation to the Government, after which the medical supplies are expected to be transferred to the Ministry of Health for distribution to hospitals and health facilities across the country.
The donation represents another milestone in the Government’s ongoing collaboration with international partners to strengthen healthcare services, improve access to life-saving medicines and advance the national vision of achieving quality healthcare for every Gambian.
ghly specialised medical professionals and the expansion of specialist services that were previously unavailable in The Gambia.
He noted that the country has made remarkable progress in attracting specialists in paediatric surgery, radiology and neonatology, reducing the need for patients to seek advanced medical care abroad.
“Government has invested significantly in strengthening our hospitals and specialist services. The next major challenge is ensuring the sustainable availability of essential medicines. This generous donation therefore comes at the right time and will greatly support healthcare delivery throughout the country,” he said.
Receiving the donation on behalf of His Excellency President Adama Barrow, Vice President Mohammed B.S. Jallow expressed profound gratitude to Foundation 221, its partners and all stakeholders who contributed to the initiative.
The Vice President reaffirmed that healthcare remains one of the Government’s highest priorities, noting that while significant progress has been made in expanding health infrastructure and specialist services, the procurement of medicines continues to require substantial financial resources.
“Access to healthcare is fundamental to national development. Building hospitals is important, recruiting specialists is equally essential, but ensuring the continuous availability of medicines remains one of the most expensive aspects of healthcare delivery,” Vice President Jallow said.
He observed that the Government continues to commit enormous resources to the health sector and therefore welcomes partnerships that complement national efforts.
The Vice President further applauded the remarkable progress made by Gambian medical professionals, highlighting the increasing availability of specialist expertise within the country as evidence of the Government’s sustained investment in human capital development.
He also acknowledged the contribution of Foundation 221 and its Gambian partners, describing the donation as a practical demonstration of international solidarity and shared commitment to improving the wellbeing of Gambians.
“On behalf of His Excellency President Adama Barrow and the Government of The Gambia, we sincerely thank Foundation 221, Mr. Lamin Saidy and all partners for this generous contribution. Every effort that supports our healthcare system and improves the lives of our people is deeply appreciated,” the Vice President stated.
The ceremony concluded with the official handover of the donation to the Government, after which the medical supplies are expected to be transferred to the Ministry of Health for distribution to hospitals and health facilities across the country.
The donation represents another milestone in the Government’s ongoing collaboration with international partners to strengthen healthcare services, improve access to life-saving medicines and advance the national vision of achieving quality healthcare for every Gambian.