Coronavirus: Gambia, Senegal health ministers strengthen fight against COVID-19
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - Gambian and Senegalese health ministers say they have have strengthened efforts to fight the Coronavirus pandemic with backing from their Presidents - Macky Sall of Senegal and Adama Barrow of the Gambia.
Towards this end, a team of health professionals have arrived in Banjul from Senegal to provide expert advice that will guide politicians from both countries to make informed policy decisions on the COVID -19 response mechanisms, a statement made available to PANA here Sunday by State House in Banjul said.
According to the statement, President Barrow said as leaders they are responsible and accountable to the people, thus urged the health professionals to take the lead to provide expert advice that will guide them as politicians to make informed policy decisions on the COVID -19.
The Gambian leader made the remarks when he received a Senegalese delegation send to Banjul by President Sall and the health experts are tasked to facilitate the sharing of experience by both countries as well as for the Senegalese to consult on possible partnership and support to the COVID -19 response in The Gambia.
President Barrow said there are valuable lessons to learn about the Coronavirus situation from each country.
“COVID-19 has overwhelmed us as a population; infection numbers are surging beyond our expectations and within a short period of time. Hence I turned to my brother, President Macky Sall, to tap from Senegal’s experience in managing the pandemic,” the Gambian leader asserted.
The Senegalese Director of Health Emergency Operations, Dr. Abdoulaye Busso, who spoke to the State House press corps after the audience, described Gambian laboratories as “very good capacity laboratories” at Medical Research Council (MRC) and National Health Laboratory under Department of Public Health.
They visited these labs and other treatment centres to exchange ideas and hold discussions with their Banjul counterparts on how to effectively collaborate and coordinate their efforts between Banjul and Dakar.
President Barrow expressed delight at the quick response from his Senegalese counterpart, President Macky Sall, in dispatching such a team without much formalities, which he said, raised his confidence in their brotherhood as two nations but one people.
The President described the gesture as representing “true bond of bilateral friendship” never before enjoyed by Banjul and Dakar.
Furthermore, he said, their friendly relationship also presents an opportunity for the two governments to work together for the eternal benefits of their two peoples.
“Such a dream cannot be achieved by any two leaders without the full participation of the two populations,” President Barrow added.
-0- PANA MSS/VAO 23Aug2020
