The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), has handed over 30 medical ambulances equipped with biomedical equipment to its member states.
The ceremony, held in Lomé, Togo, was organised in partnership with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and marked the start of the deployment of the ambulances to beneficiary countries.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, said the initiative would strengthen regional health systems, improve access to emergency medical services and support efforts towards universal health coverage.
Touray described the project as a demonstration of regional solidarity and collective responsibility, saying it placed the wellbeing of citizens at the centre of ECOWAS’ integration agenda.
ECOWAS EQUIPS ITS MEMBER STATES WITH 30 MEDICAL AMBULANCES TO STRENGTHEN HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS.
ECOWAS, through the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) in partnership with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), organised, on 14 th August 2026 in Lomé, Togo, the… pic.twitter.com/PQByO40cSo
— Ecowas – Cedeao (@ecowas_cedeao) August 15, 2026
ECOWAS Vice-President, Damtien Tchintchibidja, said the delivery of the ambulances was one of the final official activities of the outgoing Commission after four years of service.
She said the vehicles would provide lasting support for communities by bringing emergency healthcare closer to the people and improving health resilience across West Africa.
ECOWAS EQUIPS ITS MEMBER STATES WITH 30 MEDICAL AMBULANCES TO STRENGTHEN HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS.
ECOWAS, through the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) in partnership with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), organised, on 14 th August 2026 in Lomé, Togo, the… pic.twitter.com/PQByO40cSo
— Ecowas – Cedeao (@ecowas_cedeao) August 15, 2026
Togo’s Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Jean-Marie Tessi, commended ECOWAS and WAHO for the initiative, saying it would improve the capacity of health systems in Togo and other member states to respond to emergencies.
WAHO Director-General, Dr Melchior Athanase Aïssi, said the project was made possible through the cooperation between ECOWAS, WAHO, UNOPS and member states.
He stressed that effective management, regular maintenance and qualified personnel would be essential to ensuring that the ambulances deliver lasting benefits.
A representative of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Kossi Edjam, said his organisation had supported the training of hospital personnel on the proper use of the ambulances.
He also pledged continued support to ensure that the vehicles were used responsibly for the benefit of communities across the region.
