By Ndey Sowe
The Ministry of Health has refuted what it called misleading and unfounded information circulated on social media platforms on Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and tests kit donated to the Gambia by mainland China.
The items were donated by Chinese billionaire and owner of Ali Baba Group Jack Ma to African countries including The Gambia.
On 28th of March, Gambia received its part of the consignment which consisted of hundred thousand mask, 20 thousand Coronavirus test kits and one thousand protective items for onward delivery to various health facilities across the country.
This donation was followed by speculations on social media that the items from main land China were contaminated with the Coronavirus, and that Gambians should not use them.
The Ministry of Health on the 10th of March 2020 issued a press release refuting the allegations on social media.
Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, the Minster of Health refuted every aspect of those messages, and reaffirmed to Gambians that their health remained a priority to both the ministry and to the government.
Regarding the said consignment, the release stated that WHO and WFP both certified the contents prior to its shipment to the country and these are institutions with capacity for logistics and health related affairs thus making them leads in their own domains.
“The Gambia Government and The Ministry of Health remains committed and will be vigilant in tackling issues of national concerns and the public is therefore urged to remain vigilant and desist from such rumours”, it concluded.
