The ministry of health has set up an emergency health committee to coordinate resources for response efforts regarding the deadly coronavirus.
The world is currently battling a new killer virus, the coronvirus. At least 8000 people have been infected with the virus in the Chinese city of Wuhan where it first emerged. Twenty Gambians are currently trapped in Wuhan most of them students.
The ministry of health said in a statement on its official Facebook page today:” The Hon. Minister of Health Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh today Monday 3rd February 2020 presided over the inauguration or the National Health Emergency Committee charged with the responsibility to coordinate the implementation 2019 -COV (Novel Coronavirus) in The Gambia.
The National Health Emergency Committee is multisectoral in nature comprising of government departments and agencies, non-governmental, private sector and civil society Organizations.
“The main objective of the National Health Emergency Committee is to ensure the overall coordination and mobilize the needed resources for the Coronavirus preparedness and response operations at national and regional levels.
The National Health Emergency Committee will be supported by the various sub-committees namely: epidemiological investigation, surveillance and laboratory testing; media/risk communication, social mobilization and community engagement; clinical/case management of patients; logistics and safety; [and] psychosocial support and research.”