By: Mariama Njie
International Organization for Migration on Tuesday handed over medical equipment to ministry of health and social welfare
The equipment includes PPC, 13 first aid kits, 9 stretchers, 190 CPR masks, personal protective equipment (PPE), 15 Blood Pressure monitoring device, 10 non-contact thermometers and 10 insecticides which will be used for borders management and control of the deadly coronavirus across the country.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Fumiko Nagano, IOM Chief of Mission, said that the Gambia Immigration Department (GID) has closely coordinated with the Ministry of Health in strengthening its health response capacities at its border posts.
“IOM has previously organized trainings for 50 frontline border and health officials from three of The Gambia’s busiest borders – namely, Giboro, Amdalai and Kerr Ali – on basic first aid and basic life support. This is yet another step in building a Gambia that is ready and prepared to tackle health emergencies”, she said.
She pointed out that, these medical items will ensure vigilant screening and early detection at ports of entry.
“this support forms part of a wider project aimed at enhancing The Gambia’s local and central governments’ capacities to manage borders, as well as contribute to trade facilitation and development,” she added.
She further said, the world is facing a new challenge – the emergence of the Novel Coronavirus, which is affecting China and many other parts of the world.
With the recent declaration of the virus as a public health emergency of international concern, efforts should be directed to support the Ministry of Health in strengthening its health preparedness and response to the extent possible, she lamented.
Commissioner Ousman Lowe, on behalf of Director General the Gambia immigration, said the provision of the medical equipment aid has come at a better time when it is most needed aimed the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus.
He said the technical equipment will indeed go a long way in enhancing their capacity in the overall management, needs of border management and control of national frontiers.
“this handing over ceremony today is coming in the wake of interventions in which officers drawn from various borders across the country were trained on basic first aid and safety at work”, he added.
He further explained that, border management and control is interrelated and cross cutting, noting that it needs a holistic approach and concerted efforts because no single institution can do it alone.
“As security officers’ part of our mandate includes the protection of lives and property, also the safety of officers at work is equally of great importance as they are prone to many hazardous infections in their duties,” he said.