The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through the West African Health Organization (WAHO), has handed over 10 fully equipped four-wheel-drive ambulances and critical medical equipment worth approximately $3.4 million to The Gambia, in a major initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s emergency healthcare system and enhancing regional health security.
The intervention, financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the COVID-19 Exceptional Emergency Project for Low-Income ECOWAS Member States, forms part of a $22.3 million regional programme designed to improve preparedness and response to public health emergencies across West Africa.
The donation includes oxygen concentrators, haemodialysis machines, X-ray machines, anaesthetic machines, patient monitors, diagnostic tools, biomedical engineering equipment and other essential medical supplies intended to boost emergency care, diagnostics and specialised healthcare delivery.
Speaking during the handover ceremony in Banjul on Friday, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, described the intervention as a powerful demonstration of regional solidarity and a strategic investment in resilient healthcare systems capable of responding to future health emergencies.
Touray said the project extends far beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting ECOWAS’ commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and protecting the lives of citizens across the sub-region.
“It is with immense pride, profound emotion and a deep sense of honour that I stand before you today in my own home country. To return to my homeland and witness the tangible fruits of our regional cooperation is deeply humbling and inspiring,” he said.
He explained that WAHO, as ECOWAS’ specialised health institution, is funded through the ECOWAS Community Levy contributed by citizens of member states, adding that the project exemplifies the benefits of regional integration and collective action.
“When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, it exposed the vulnerabilities of our health systems, but it also ignited our collective resolve. We learned that we are indeed better and stronger together,” Touray stated.
He disclosed that the regional project has trained 1,427 health professionals, strengthened 55 points of entry across participating countries and supplied thousands of sets of personal protective equipment to improve preparedness for future disease outbreaks.
According to him, The Gambia achieved a 100 per cent physical completion rate for all project interventions, while 852 health workers and stakeholders received specialised training between 2024 and 2025 in Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), Incident Management Systems, Infection Prevention and Control, and other critical public health disciplines.
Touray said the newly delivered ambulances and medical equipment would significantly improve emergency medical services, enhance referral systems and expand access to life-saving healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.
“As we receive these materials today, let us remember that they represent more than just tools. They represent hope, resilience and our shared commitment to protecting the lives and dignity of every West African,” he added.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of President Adama Barrow, Vice President Mohammed Jallow described the intervention as a timely response to longstanding gaps in healthcare delivery, especially in rural areas where access to emergency transportation remains a major challenge.
He said the ambulances would serve as “vehicles of hope,” improving responses to road traffic accidents, obstetric emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks.
Jallow commended WAHO, the African Development Bank and the Government of Germany for their sustained support to The Gambia’s health sector, describing the intervention as a practical demonstration of the benefits of regional cooperation.
“This support represents a significant investment in our health system and demonstrates that, through collective action, ECOWAS member states and their partners can deliver results that directly improve the lives of ordinary citizens,” he said.
The Vice President also directed the Ministry of Health and healthcare workers to ensure proper maintenance, accountability and sustainability in the management of the newly acquired ambulances and medical equipment.
“Please ensure that spare parts are available, maintenance schedules are strictly followed, and that these vehicles and medical equipment remain fully operational at all times,” he urged.
Earlier, The Gambia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmadou Samateh, praised WAHO for its longstanding partnership with the country through continuous technical assistance, capacity building and professional training programmes.
He noted that WAHO has consistently supported the training of Gambian health professionals both within and outside the country, describing the organisation as one of The Gambia’s most dependable health development partners.
Samateh described the donation as unprecedented in the country’s healthcare history.
“To the best of my knowledge, we have never received such a donation of ambulances from any institution in this quantity at one time,” he said.
The ceremony, which coincided with WAHO’s anniversary celebration, was attended by the Director-General of WAHO, Dr. Melchior Aïssi, representatives of the African Development Bank, the German Government, senior ECOWAS officials, members of the Gambian Cabinet, development partners and other government officials.
The intervention is expected to significantly strengthen The Gambia’s emergency medical response capacity while advancing ECOWAS’ broader objective of building resilient health systems across West Africa to better respond to future disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
