By Mariatou Ngum & Abdou Mbye
His Excellency Mohammed B.S. Jallow, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, on Thursday 9th July 2026 deputised for President Adama Barrow at the official handover of ambulances and medical equipment procured by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), with funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The ceremony, held in Banjul, brought together Cabinet Ministers, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, members of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of the African Development Bank, the Director General of WAHO, National Assembly Members, senior government officials, and healthcare workers.
The fleet includes ambulances alongside critical medical equipment such as ventilators, concentrators, monitors, X-ray machines, anaesthetic machines, haemodialysis machines, and diagnostic and biomedical engineering tools. The equipment will directly support rural and remote communities, where long journeys to health facilities often mean the difference between life and death.
Receiving the donation on behalf of President Barrow, the Vice President expressed deep appreciation to WAHO and the AfDB for their continued partnership, as well as to the German Ambassador to The Gambia and KfW for their invaluable support to the health sector. He described the gesture as a powerful demonstration of regional solidarity, noting that ECOWAS Member States and their partners can deliver real results that improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
The Vice President called on the Ministry of Health and regional health teams to manage the new assets with the highest standards of integrity and accountability, ensuring proper maintenance so that no vehicle or machine sits idle. He paid tribute to Gambia’s doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, and health workers, describing them as the true heroes whose work these resources are meant to support.
He affirmed that the handover reflects the Government’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage, and renewed The Gambia’s pledge to work with sister ECOWAS nations to strengthen regional health security, reduce maternal and child mortality, and combat non-communicable diseases.
The Vice President then formally declared the ambulances and equipment ready for service.