Banjul, 3rd November 2015 - The specific objectives of the assistance visit were to provide information to stakeholders on ICAO and WHO Public Health Emergency (PHE) management for the aviation sector; promote and facilitate communication & collaboration between the aviation and public health sectors; review existing procedures and assist The Gambia by providing advice and training.

The training activities took place on day one of the visit at the Kairaba Beach Hotel while the briefing, airport visit and the debriefing of the Gambia international airport team took place on the second day at the old airport Terminal Building. The Airport facilities visited  at Banjul International Airport included ATC Tower; Passenger screening locations and facilities; Immigration & Customs; Medical Services/Response – clinic; Passenger quarantine/assessment/holding facility/room/area; Emergency Operations Centre; The Gambia international airline (Ground Handling Agent) and SN Brussels and ARIK Airlines.

The opening ceremony was marked by the presence of the representative of the Secretary General and Head of civil services and Minister of Presidential affairs Mrs. Isatou Ida Auber, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Hon. Omar Sey, the GCAA Director General Mr. Abdoulie E Jammeh and the WHO Country Representative to the Gambia, Dr. Charles Sagoe-Moses.

The WHO country Representative to The Gambia, Dr. Charles SAGOE-MOSES thanked the organizers of this very important meeting that has brought together different partners working together for the same noble cause; and re-affirmed WHO’s commitment  for continued collaboration and assured the gathering that WHO shall continue to support and work with the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Health and Social welfare in providing the necessary technical support and normative guidance needed in implementing the IHR core capacities.

The ICAO, WHO and CAPSCA Representatives included: Michiel Vreedenburgh, Chief, Implementation Planning & Support – Safety Section, Air Navigation Bureau & CAPSCA Programme Global Coordinator, ICAO – Team Leader; Dr. Patrick ABOK,– Emergency preparedness Technical Officer, WHO Gambia – Team member; Arthemon Ndikumana, Regional Officer – Aerodromes and Ground Aids & CAPSCA Africa ESAF Regional Coordinator, ICAO – Team member; Dr. Wilfred Haggai, Technical Advisor, CAPSCA Africa – Team member; Peter Houck, Technical Advisor, CAPSCA Americas – Team member and Sarantis Poulimenakos, Regional Officer – Air Navigation Systems Implementation & CAPSCA EUR-NAT Regional Coordinator – Team member (OJT) .

The preliminary findings of the assistance visit was shared with the Banjul International Airport team and with the Ministry of Health and Social welfare team in a debriefing session that was attended by the WHO country Representative Dr. Charles Sagoe-Moses and the UN Representative to The Gambia Mrs. Ade Mamonyane Lekoetje

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For more information, please contact:

Mr. Momodou Gassama, Health Promotion Officer, Email:  gassamam [at] gm.afro.who.int, Tel: (220) 4462286

Mr. George. Williams, Health Information Assistant, Email:  williamsg [at] gm.afro.who.int, Tel: (220) 4462284