UNFPA The Gambia has presented 10 motorcycles, helmets and other equipment to the Ministry of Health, as part of efforts to strengthen COVID-19 surveillance and contact tracing.
The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh expressed government’s appreciation of UNFPA’s support to the country’s development agenda and particularly the current support to the National COVID-19 Response Plan.
“The donation of these motorcycles will go a long way in enhancing our ability to carry out contact tracing during these COVID-19 times. UNFPA has been standing by the government and people of The Gambia for the last four decades and we recognise the work they are doing especially in the area of strengthening continuity of delivering essential sexual, reproductive, maternal and new-born health care services. The recent renovation of the theatre at the Essau District Hospital is one such example.”
Since the announcement of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in The Gambia, there has been a need to keep the public informed, and ensure surveillance efforts are strengthened. This has been on going and the Ministry of Health continues to receive support from its partners to deliver this.
“We want to reassure the general public that the Ministry of Health and its partners are working very hard to contain COVID-19 in the country.”
UNFPA The Gambia Country Representative, Kunle Adeniyi believes the donated items will facilitate active contact tracing which is key to the containment of COVID-19 in The Gambia.
“Early detection and isolation of cases is critical in the effort to interrupt the transmission of the Coronavirus in our communities. Today as one of our many collective efforts in the UN and as UNFPA to support the immediate response, we have provided these motorcycles for surveillance and contact tracing in our communities with a view to limiting human to human transmission and ultimately returning us to our normal way of life as soon as possible.”
UNFPA and the wider UN system in The Gambia continue to work with the government and partners to contribute towards the fight against COVID-19 through identified strategic priorities.
“We commit to this process, we are with the government and the people of The Gambia and we will especially continue investing in efforts that will keep vulnerable people including – women, young people and adolescents protected from COVID-19 and also ensure the continuity of essential health services, including antenatal care and family planning services.” Mr. Adeniyi called on all to support the Government’s efforts to contain the spread of the virus and the effect on the nation by adhering to the guidelines on handwashing and social-distancing issued by the Ministry of Health and partners.