An eleven strong Taiwanese health team has successfully completed a two week visit to The Gambia. The visit was part of an exchange between The Gambia and Taiwan. During the trip the health team visited the AFPRC hospital in Farafenni and Bwiam hospital. They treated a range of illnesses including malaria and asthma.

In an interview with the division Chief Technical cooperation Department Taiwan (ICDF), Dr. Jeffery Ohih-Fu Chen he underscored the essential nature of the trip in the context of the bi-lateral cooperation which exists between Taiwan and The Gambia. He said that during the visit the Department of Health, particularly in the provinces such as AFPRC hospital in Farafenni and the facility at Bwiam, made a lot of treatments.

At a function held at his private residence, the Taiwanese Ambassador Dr. Patrick Chang, thanked the medical team for their contribution over the two weeks. He said this was excellent support for the relationship between The Gambia and Taiwan. Ambassador Chang went on to explain that the invitation to his residence for those gathered was in part to celebrate the feast of Tobaski. To mark the occasion, he revealed that President Jammeh had given him a ram. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting The Gambia and thanked President Jammeh and his government for being good friends to Taiwan.

For his part, the Secretary of State for Health Dr. Malick Njie, thanked Ambassador Chang for the invitation saying the event was a great one. SoS Njie explained that the Taiwanese government gives great support to The Gambia, particularly the Department of Health.

Other speakers at the event included Doctor Mariatou Jallow the Director of RVTH and senior health officials from the Department. All those gathered expressed their thanks and similar sentiments to those expressed by SoS Njie. 

Monday 24th December 2007
By Njie Baldeh
The Point