By Seedy Jobe
The Gambia on Monday received a large donation of medical supplies valued at over $12 million, the largest health-related contribution in the nation’s history, State House announced. The handover ceremony was held at the State House grounds and attended by President Adama Barrow, the First Lady, Cabinet ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, healthcare professionals, and other distinguished guests.
The donation, provided by the Cornerstone Group and its charitable arm, the Cornerstone Foundation, in partnership with MAP International, is valued at approximately 900 million Gambian dalasis. According to the president, the contribution represents “an unprecedented act of generosity, patriotism, and commitment to the well-being of the Gambian people.”
In the text of his speech shared with the press, President Barrow said Cornerstone’s support for the country’s healthcare sector has been both consistent and transformative. He noted that in March 2025, the group, in partnership with MAP International, donated medicines valued at $1 million to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital. He added that Cornerstone has also installed a solar power system at the hospital’s main operating theater, ending years of electricity outages that disrupted surgical procedures, and renovated the Pediatric Surgical Unit to give children access to a modern and dignified treatment environment.
The President noted that the donation signals trust in EFSTH, the Ministry of Health, and the Government of The Gambia, emphasizing that national development requires collaboration between the public and private sectors. He encouraged other businesses and investors to emulate Cornerstone’s example in supporting the country’s growth.
President Barrow also paid tribute to healthcare workers for their dedication and sacrifice, assuring them of continued government support to modernize facilities, improve working conditions, and equip hospitals to deliver quality healthcare services.
“On behalf of the Government and People of The Gambia, I sincerely thank the Chairman and CEO of Cornerstone Group, Mr. Alagie Sanyang, and his team, as well as MAP International and all their global partners, for believing in our healthcare system and choosing The Gambia as the destination for this noble gesture,” the President said.
The event highlighted the growing role of public-private partnerships in strengthening Gambia’s healthcare system and reinforced the government’s call for collective action in national development.