30th September 2003:

President Jammeh has said that the generosity and magnanimity of Taiwan has greatly contributed to the Gambia's success in the health sector. The President made the statement in his office Tuesday when the Taiwanese Ambassador to the Gambia Dr. Edgar Lin presented a cheque for three hundred thousand dollars for a Taiwan-Gambia-Cuba joint health project launched in 1995.

The president thanked the government and people of Taiwan whose assistance contributed largely to Gambia's health sector where most other nations have failed. The President disclosed that since the lunching of the project in 1995, lifetime expectation for the average Gambian has increased by 6 years and infant mortality and morbidity amongst others have dropped significantly. Dr. Jammeh said with the Gambia ranked number one in Malaria control and number two in general health service delivery, the continuation of Taiwan's assistance would enable the country attain number one ranking in general health delivery in Africa. He also disclosed that the Gambia's Eye Care and Preventible Blindness programmes are second to none in Africa. He told Ambassador Lin that the next most important item on his health agenda is the Family Doctor Scheme - which would help provide medical history and health profiles of each and every Gambian.

Notwithstanding the successes in Malaria control, President Jammeh expressed concern over the free movement of the vector (mosquito) which knows no borders and requires no entry visa. The president therefore underscored the need for sub-regional and international cooperation to fight the disease.

Ambassador Edgar Lin applauded the Gambia government for the successes registered in its Malaria Control programme and general health service delivery. He said it was gratifying to note that the Gambia is ranked number one in Malaria control and number two in general health service delivery. Ambassador Lin described this joint health project as a shinning example of international cooperation.