The Gambia government has received 10 ambulances with large quantities of high-quality medical equipment and supplies from Turkish government.

The ambulances and medical equipment come amid the spike in coronavirus cases in the country. 

Health facilities across the country would  be the beneficiaries and would be used to support their Covid-19 response efforts. 

The Ministry of Health said the ambulances will allow intensive care treatment (ICU) en route, and critical lifesaving medical equipment and supplies for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and other health conditions.

“A total of one hundred million dalasi (approximately US$2 million) of the Government Local Fund (GLF) along with financing from the World Bank was used to procure the 10 ambulances and large quantities of high-quality medical equipment and supplies. 

“These includes 60 ICU beds, 600 000 surgical masks, 1.2 million gloves, 5,000 oxygen masks, 4 ultrasound machines, 20,000 face shields, 25,000 personal protective equipment (overall), 30,000 respirators (N95), 205 oxygen flow meters, 3 digital 4D colour ultrasound machines, 4 ultrasound scanner and 100 non-touch thermometers,” the Ministry of health said.

Receiving the materials, Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, Minister of Health expressed gratitude to President Adama Barrow for the political will and support provided to the health sector in responding to COVID-19 and other health related challenges.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba