NDMA assess preparedness in respond to COVID-19 during nationwide tour

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By SULAYMAN WAAN

The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has embarked on nationwide assessment at various governor offices on the level of preparedness in respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

The countrywide tour commenced at Kerewan, Badibou, North Bank Region (NBR) on March 31 and expected to end on April 7 at Brikama, West Coast Region.

The tour aims to assess the level of preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic in every administrative region of the country.

It also enable the disaster coordination and management agency to know the constraints stakeholders face with regards to fighting this pandemic.

Addressing the gathering at Kerewan, Sanna Dahaba, executive director for NDMA said when it comes to management of emergency in the country; NDMA as duty bearer has the primary responsibility to respond in ways which include epidemiological, clinical and other public health responds as well as the humanitarians respond.

He noted that NDMA is going around the country to share government’s strategic plans with all stakeholders so as to combat the virus effectively.

“The government is doing a lot by bringing a holistic coordination mechanism in term of response and preparedness,” he said.

The NDMA top administrative official said everyone is vulnerable to this world’s invisible enemy and there is need for support and response to all in order to save all Gambians from the pandemic.

“The vulnerable people are very critical in fighting the deadly disease,” he added.

Dahaba expressed optimism that government will work as expected to address the challenges of COVID-19 fighters in the country.

As NDMA toured all regional regions of the country, governors gave an overview of preparatory activities in place to prevent the spread of the disease.

Ebrima Dampha, governor for North Bank Region (NBR) hailed government through NDMA for the assessment, saying his region has a vibrant COVID-19 taskforce aims to combat the deadly disease.

He added that the taskforce has resource mobilization and fund raising committee, coordination and communication unit as subcommittees working hard to enlightening the masses on coronavirus preventive measures.

Aba Sanyang, governor of Central River Region said: “CRR has a taskforce headed by competent health personnel who are look forward to preventing the spread of the disease.”

Speaking further he said the taskforce committee has subcommittee which include security, health, communication and surveillance to ensure that they work effectively on different categories to help in curbing the coronavirus pandemic.

Fanta B.S Manneh, governor for Upper River Region (URR) dilated on preparation of her region since the coronavirus outbreak, saying COVID 19 taskforce in her region is working tirelessly to prevent the spread of the disease.

She unveiled that the regional taskforce has encountered many challenges in fighting the disease.

Roheyatou John Manjang, governor for Lower River Region (LRR) echoed similar sentiments.