By Amadou Jadama
Kerewan One Family Association, a member association of Kerewan Youths in the Diaspora, recently donated medical equipment to the Kerewan Health Centre in Lower Baddibu.
The donated items, which included hospital beds, drugs, incubator for neonates, anesthetic machine, wheelchairs, cottons, crutches, gloves, syringes and bandages and others, are said to worth D1 million dalasi.
The goal is to help improve access to quality healthcare services.
The Alkalo of the village, Ousman Fatty, said the deplorable state of healthcare in the district led their sons and daughters in abroad and partners in Kerewan to perform a needs assessment of the health facilities sometime last year.
Fatty expressed hope that the donation will assist the health centre elevate from a minor to major health centre.
Fabala Kinteh, chief of lower Baddibu district, called on all stakeholders in the healthcare to play their respective roles to improving access to quality healthcare, while pleading with health staff to accept posting to “deprived communities”.
Abdoulie Jarju, assistant director from the Ministry of Health thanked Kerewan One Family Association for the donation.
“The Kerewan Health Centre needs most of the items presented urgently to assist its work,” he stated.
Mamadi Jawara, officer-in-charge, Kerewan Health Centre, said the labor ward of the health centre, “where life begins, should be a happy environment, instead of the battle field it has become due to the lack of equipment to help expectant mothers”.
He used his speech to further disclose that the hospital only has a single functional labor ward, with no staff quarters.
He therefore promised the items will be put in to good use for the benefit of all, and pleads for government to go to their aid.
He was hopeful the Kerewan diaspora will adopt the health centre and continue to support efforts being made by the ministry of health to improve upon service delivery.
In his closing remarks, Alagie Jawara, National Assembly Member for Lower Baddibu, and a native of the village, advised his people to shun violence and work for a progressive Gambia.
