By Sainabou Sambou
In a significant step toward improving maternal and reproductive health services, the Chinese government, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), donated $620,000 worth of medical equipment to The Gambia on Friday, March 7, 2025. The handover ceremony took place at the central medical store in Kotu, where critical supplies—including 60 delivery beds, five anesthetic machines, 10 oxygen concentrators, and 1,000 dignity kits—were formally presented.
This donation is part of a broader initiative launched in 2021 to enhance emergency obstetric care and reduce maternal mortality rates in the Gambia. The project has delivered 100 delivery beds, 400,000 pairs of gloves, six anesthetic machines, 20 oxygen concentrators, 10 ultrasound machines, 2,000 dignity kits, and 1,500 scrubs. The effort has already made a tangible impact, enabling 50,000 women and young people to access reproductive health services, including 15,000 pregnant women who have received antenatal care. One thousand two hundred health workers have also been equipped with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Ndey Rose Sarr, UNFPA Country Representative, hailed the partnership as “a shining example of South-South Cooperation,” emphasizing its role in addressing shared global challenges.
“Today, we are formally handing over equipment valued at over D9,000,000,” Sarr said. “This includes 60 delivery beds, providing comfort and dignity to expectant mothers; 5 anesthetic machines, crucial for safe surgical procedures; 10 oxygen concentrators, providing life-saving respiratory support; and 1,000 dignity kits, offering essential hygiene items to vulnerable women and girls.”
She also noted that the initiative had provided over 400,000 pairs of gloves and PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring its timely support.
Chinese Ambassador to The Gambia, Jin Liu, reaffirmed China’s ongoing commitment to the country’s healthcare system, revealing that China has contributed $6 million in medical assistance since 2020. He also announced a new initiative to support The Gambia’s fight against malaria, signaling continued collaboration in public health.
Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, The Gambia’s Minister of Health, expressed gratitude for the donation, calling it a vital boost to maternal health efforts. “While progress has been made in reducing maternal mortality, more work is needed to ensure that every woman in The Gambia gives birth safely and with dignity,” he said, urging further investment in the sector.
The $620,000 aid package reflects a shared commitment by China and UNFPA to strengthen The Gambia’s healthcare infrastructure, offering hope for improved outcomes for mothers and children nationwide.
