LAMBARÉNÉ, GABON – The Hôpital Albert Schweitzer de Lambaréné, a prominent healthcare facility in Gabon, has been the recipient of a generous donation from the Government of Japan.
On May 19, 2026, the Ambassador of Japan to Gabon, Yoshio Ando, presided over the formal presentation of a new medical incinerator during a ceremony attended by local authorities and hospital officials.
The donation, valued at 42,146 euros (over 93. 2 million francs CFA), is a replacement for outdated equipment and is a crucial step in addressing the significant public health issue of medical waste management.
The Director General of the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer, Ponce Estelin Nfoubou Kouely, received the gift, which is part of the “Programme de coopération bilatérale dénommé Dons aux projets locaux. “Ambassador Ando highlighted the historical ties between Japan and the hospital, which date back to the 1950s and 1960s during the tenure of Dr. Albert Schweitzer.
He mentioned the contributions of Japanese doctors like Dr. Isao Takahashi and Dr. Minoru Nomura and noted that the hospital holds a special symbolic significance.
The ambassador also spoke of the challenges faced in delivering the donation, emphasizing the determination and collaboration of all parties involved.
The new incinerator is expected to bolster the hospital’s waste management system, which serves an average of 150 patients daily from Lambaréné and surrounding areas. It aims to reduce contamination risks, protect public health, and enhance the overall sanitation of the hospital environment.
The ceremony was also attended by the Governor of the province, Jean — Benoît Bekale, and other local authorities, underscoring the importance of the donation not only for the hospital but also for the broader community.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Agpgabon
Source: Redaction
