UN team visits COVID-19 treatment centre under construction in Soma

A high-level delegation led by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in The Gambia, Seraphine Wakana, and Heads of Agencies (UNOPS & UNFPA), recently toured the site of prefabrication of COVID-19 treatment units in Soma, Lower River Region.

The treatment center in Soma and in two other regions (Barra & Bansang) are part of a UN joint project, funded by the UN Secretary-General’s COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund (Multi-Partner Trust Fund), under guidance from WHO, implemented jointly by UNFPA, UNICEF and UNOPS, which is the lead agency responsible for construction and installation of the prefabricated treatment centers. The visit was meant to assess the state of progress and to renew commitment to timely completion of the treatment units to respond to the spiking COVID-19 cases in remote areas as community transmission soars.

Very proud indeed to witness great joint work between WHO, UNFPA, UNOPS, UNICEF in partnership with the Ministry of Health in bringing COVID-19 response closer to the communities,'' said Seraphine Wakana, UN Resident Coordinator, commenting on the joint partnership between the local communities, Ministry of Health and the UN system in delivering for people of The Gambia in the collective fight against the coronavirus disease.

These medical units currently under construction in three locations distributed across rural Gambia are targeted at populations who lack access to basic care at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, with UNOPS’ global expertise in responding to health emergencies and also with the joint collaboration of the various stakeholders involved; the treatment units will be completed in the shortest possible time and will be ready for use ‘’ Shabnam Mallick, UNOPS Country Manager assured. 

This joint project seeks to increase capacity of the Government and the Communities to suppress transmission of the COVID-19 virus and to increase access to quality treatment, availability of the continuum of care and the protection of most vulnerable (including, women, girls, persons with disabilities) in addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, stress, fear and shock of COVID-19 through strong collaboration with the non-health sector.