Gambia’s Health Minister has hinted that the Health Ministry with support from UNICEF has secured 25 million dalasi fund ready to be injected into the Health sector.
Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, make this statement on Saturday while presiding the handing over of an Ambulance to the Health facility in the settlement of Nema Kunku in upper Nuimi District in the North Bank Region.
The event form part of Health Minister Samateh’s daylong tour of 6 Health facilities in North Bank Region.
His delegation includes Health Permanent Secretary Dawda Ceesay, Deputy Permanent Secretary Technical, Director of Health Services, senior Health officials and National Assembly members for Lower, Upper Baddibou and Upper Saloum respectively.
Heath Minister and delegation visited the Health facilities in the upper Nuimi Settlement of Nema Kunku, Njau in Upper Saloum, Nawlerr and Daru Riwan in Upper Baddibou as well as Kerr Ardo and Kerewan in Lower Baddibou.
Speaking at the gathering in Nema Kunku, Dr Samateh stated that the Gambia Government under the Leadership of His Excellency President Adama Barrow is cognisance of the much needed improvement in the Health sector.
He said plans are on foot to revamp and standardise the Health service delivery in the Gambia and added that UNICEF has already provided 25 Million Dalasi to the Health Ministry.
“When Officials from UNICEF approaches me and said we get 25 million dalasi for the Health Sector. They said the funds are readily available but are not for purchasing of vehicles. I told them to get hold of the fund and we at Health Ministry will provide an inventory for you (UNCEIF) to gets us the medicaments and equipments needed in the Health Sector,” he said.
Minister Samateh said the fund already spent on procurement of Medical items and relevant health equipments packed in four containers is in the Country and that with support from UNICEF distribution of this consignment to health facilities will take effect within weeks to come.
He went on to remind the people of upper Nuimi that the delivery of the ambulance to the Health Facility in Nema Kunku today is part of the request that they demanded from President Barrow, during the recently concluded presidential tour in 2019.
“With this gathering I can say that we at the Health Ministry have started to fulfil the promises of President Barrow,” he said
He informed them that the maintenance and fuelling of the ambulance will be the responsibility of Health Ministry’s Partner, Rider for Health and that the ambulance driver will also be paid salary on month basis.
Minister Samateh further stated that Nema Kunku Health Facility will be expanded as Government will build more wards and provide some of the needed facilities and staff to the Health facility amidst rapturous clapping by the people of Nuimi.
He finally thanks the Lion Club and Aid the Gambia for donating the Ambulance to the Health Sector.
Omar Darboe, the National Assembly Member for Upper Nuimi Constituency thanked the Government of the Gambia through the Health Ministry for provided an ambulance to Health Facility in his Constituency.
He called on the people of his constituency to support and rally behind His Excellency President Adama Barrow for more development to come on their way.
Alasana Drammeh, Alieu Saine and Rabiatou Saine- all native of Nema Kunku spoke at the Event.
They thank the Gambia Government for providing an ambulance to the Health Facility in Village.
Other speakers includes the Officer in Charge of Nema Kunku Health Facility
The Event was chaired by Modou Njai, Director of Health Promotion and Education.