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 a wide range of critical medical equipment to The Gambia in a significant effort to improve the country’s emergency healthcare capacity and reinforce regional health security.

The presentation took place on Friday in Banjul and forms part of the COVID-19 Exceptional Emergency Project for Low-Income ECOWAS Member States, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The intervention represents an investment of approximately $3.4 million in The Gambia from the project’s overall $22.3 million regional budget.

The donated equipment includes oxygen concentrators, haemodialysis machines, X-ray machines, anaesthetic machines, patient monitors, diagnostic tools, biomedical engineering equipment and other essential medical supplies intended to strengthen emergency response, diagnostic services and specialised healthcare delivery.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, described the initiative as a strong expression of regional solidarity, noting that the investment was designed not only to address challenges exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic but also to build resilient health systems capable of responding to future public health emergencies.

Touray, who is a Gambian, said the occasion carried special personal meaning as he witnessed the delivery of the project in his home country.

“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, the specialised health institution of ECOWAS, is financed through the ECOWAS Community Levy paid by citizens across member states, adding that the project demonstrates the achievements possible through regional collaboration.

“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.

According to Touray, the regional project has trained 1,427 health professionals, equipped 55 points of entry across participating countries and supplied thousands of sets of personal protective equipment.

He also revealed that The Gambia achieved a 100 per cent physical completion rate for all project interventions. Between 2024 and 2025, a total of 852 health workers and stakeholders received training in Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), Incident Management Systems, Infection Prevention and Control, among other key public health areas.

Touray said the newly donated ambulances and medical equipment would enhance emergency medical services while improving access to life-saving healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations.

“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 said.

Receiving the equipment on behalf of President Adama Barrow, Gambian Vice President Mohammed Jallow described the donation as a direct response to longstanding gaps in healthcare delivery, particularly in rural communities where transporting critically ill patients to medical facilities remains a significant challenge.

He said the ambulances would serve as “vehicles of hope” and strengthen responses to road traffic accidents, obstetric emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks.

The Vice President commended WAHO, the African Development Bank and the Government of Germany for their sustained support to The Gambia’s health sector, saying the intervention reflected the practical benefits of regional cooperation.

“This support represents a significant investment in our health system and demonstrates th

ECOWAS, WAHO deliver $3.4m health equipment, 10 ambulances to boost the Gambia care

Source: This day