By Yunus S Saliu
The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in The Gambia through its Medical Team on Thursday, 3rd April 2025 presented medical drugs and consumables worth milion of dalasis to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in a ceremony held at the hospital premises in Banjul.
The donation is intended to enhance the hospital’s vital services, supporting its mission to provide quality healthcare to the population. This gesture also symbolizes the enduring friendship and strong diplomatic ties between The Gambia and China, which have been in place since the early independence days of The Gambia.
Receiving the donated items on behalf of Minister of Health, Lamin Dampha, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health reiterated the deep-rooted diplomatic relations between The Gambia and the People’s Republic of China. He emphasized that China’s support extends beyond the medical field, touching various sectors of the country’s development.
PS Dampha commended China for its ongoing assistance, noting that the Chinese approach to cooperation is collaborative and tailored to the specific needs of The Gambia.
“The Chinese support is transformative, not only in The Gambia but across the globe,” the Permanent Secretary stated and added “We are hopeful that this support will continue and further enhance our healthcare sector.”
However, he thanked the government of the People’s Republic of China for the recent donation of medical supplies and the many capacity-building initiatives offered to Gambians in China.
Tong Zhan, the Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in The Gambia, expressed his pleasure with the ongoing collaboration, saying each visit to the hospital reminds him of a strong and enduring friendship between the two countries.
According to him, The Gambia and China have a rich history of cooperation, particularly in the health sector, dating back to the 1970s, while noting that the current medical team represents the 22nd batch of Chinese healthcare professionals sent to The Gambia since 1975.
Zhan also referred to the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), where the leaders of both countries discussed further strengthening cooperation in the health sector. He pointed out that the Chinese medical team not only serves at the hospital but also carries out outreach missions in rural communities to improve healthcare nationwide.
Speaking earlier, Dr. Mustapha Bittaye, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of EFSTH, expressed gratitude for China’s long-standing support to the hospital, particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when China provided both medical supplies and personnel to help strengthen the country’s response. Dr. Bittaye further noted that China has been a consistent partner to rural communities in The Gambia, too, with Chinese medical teams assisting them since the early 1970s.
“The great thing about the support we receive from China is that it’s not prescriptive. We discuss our needs with them, and together, we determine the areas that require attention,” Dr. Bittaye disclosed.
He highlighted the various capacity-building programs for doctors and nurses while thanking the government of the People’s Republic of China for its significant contributions to strengthening healthcare services at the country’s main referral hospital.