By Alhagie Babou Jallow
The Government of Japan on Monday signed a grant totaling 61 505 Euros—over D3million dalasis for the supply of medical equipment to the Sharab Medical Centre in Kanifing.
The money will go toward purchasing a Chemiluminescence Immunoassay analyser, an Auto Hematology analyser and Auto Chemistry analyser, among others.
This support is implemented within the framework of the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grass-Root Human Security Project which is designed to support community based initiative addressing various development issues mainly basic human need.
Dr Abubacarr Jah, Medical Director Sharab Medical Centre, said the project aims to secure improved access to essential non- communicable diseases diagnosis services, especially by enabling a variety of blood tests which will allow a timely and reliable medical treatment.
Jah noted that after the completion of this project, not only the yearly 9,000 patients of the medical centre but also approximately 320,000 in Kanifing Municipality and peripheral rural residents will be able to receive efficient and accurate medical diagnose.
He said access to these services will cut the need to travel abroad for laboratory services
“In fact these development have resulted into something that has never before happened in The Gambia as people come to Sharab medical centre all the way from Nigeria, Ghana, and Liberia for treatment and they are receiving successful surgery and returned very happy to their country,” Dr Jah said.
The second secretary of the Embassy of Japan to the Gambia, Daisuke Enomoto said Japan has a long lasting contribution to address global health challenges by mobilizing expertise, taking actions and helping to achieve tangible results.
He said Japan supports developing countries in collaboration with the International community to achieve Universal Health Coverage( UHC) against diseases including non- communicable diseases and Japanese prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to support health care services in developing countries through a USD 2.9 billion funding.
Muhammad Tambedou, Hospital Administrator, thanked Japanese Government for the grant that avails them the resources for a modern laboratory.
