Concern Universal supports Ebola preparation efforts

Although Ebola has been defeated in affected countries, the Gambia who has remained free of the virus continues to build her defence systems.

On Thursday, the minister of Health and Social Welfare, Omar Sey, received a donation from the Gambia offices of the international NGO, Concern Universal.

The Ebola kits, which include 5 personal protective equipment and forty-nine hygiene kits, are to help the country prepare better against Ebola.

The country director of Concern Universal, Tony Jansen, who presented the items at a ceremony held at Central Medical Store in Kotu, said this was one of the many support his office had offered to the country’s anti Ebola campaign.

In a separate development, a group of volunteers from Denmark, Ms Yvonne Blair, has also donated twenty boxes of medical equipment and eighteen boxes of clothing for Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital and Serrekunda General Hospital each.

“Yvonne Blair was in the country in July 2014 and visited both Banjul and Serrekunda hospitals and saw that the two hospitals are in need of help,” said Pastor Sahr James of Edwards Francis Small Chapel church, who delivered the items to the ministry.

He explained further: “Upon her return, she consulted her partners in Germany and they were able to send the items, which were channeled through the Office of the First Lady for clearance.”

Babanding Sabally, director of Pharmaceutical Services, of the Ventral Medical store in Kotu, underscored the significance of the gesture.

He said health dispensation is expensive; that government alone cannot do it.

In receiving the items, Health and Social Welfare Minister Omar Sey thanked the donors for their support.