19 July 2007….

A ceremony was held on the occasion of the presenting of a medical aid by the Egyptian Fund for Technical Cooperation with Africa to Gabon to help combat the Chikungunyia epidemic. The ceremony was attended by the Gabonese Health Minister, as well as members of the Egyptian mission, physicians, and experts of the Fund in Gabon.

Egyptian Ambassador to Gabon, Ahmed Taha, delivered a speech on this occasion, in which he referred to Egypt's prompt response to assist Gabon confront the spread of the endemic and prevent it. He noted that the aid embodies the concept of South-South Cooperation and the significant Egyptian-Gabonese cooperation, particularly in the field of health.

The Gabonese Health Minister expressed in her word the appreciation for the Egyptian government’s generous gesture, and conveyed her thanks to the Egyptian Fund for Technical Cooperation with Africa for its continuous support to the Gabonese people in confronting the epidemic, pointing out that the aid will contribute effectively to combating the disease and reducing the number of those infected.

The ceremony was highly covered by both television and radio stations, and the Gabonese television broadcasted pictures of the shipment, and all the Gabonese officials expressed their appreciation to the Egyptian government, taking into consideration the size of the aid, and the kind of medicine presented which the hospitals in Gabon suffers lack in supply of, in addition to their high price on the market.

It is noteworthy to mention that Egypt is the only country to offer this kind of aid, a matter which was previously noted by Egypt's ambassador in Gabon during a number of press meetings, which was subject to the appreciation of all the Gabonese officials.