By Momodou Darboe
The community of Bakadaji in Upper Saloum is currently grappling with the triple problems of lack of electricity, water and inadequate nursing staff at its health post.
There is currently one nurse serving the health-care needs of the community of over 6000 people and some residents said the lack of running water and electricity in the village’s health facility is also causing hardships, especially during childbirths.
“There is only one nurse at Bakadaji health post and this problem is further compounded by lack of water and electricity. People have to resort to fetching water from their houses in cases of women in labour,” a prominent member of the community Ebrima Conteh told The Standard.
Conteh, also the deputy campaign manager of NPP for CRR, was worried that if the necessary actions were not taken, the health of an entire community could be thrown into jeopardy.
Some residents opined that the earlier government realizes that one nurse to 6000 people is unrealistic, that lack of water and electricity in a health facility is inimical to public health, the better.
“We want the government to come to the realization that inadequacies in medical staff and lack of utilities in a health post like ours could endanger the health of an entire population,” another resident pointed out.
Meanwhile, respected community leader Ebrima Conteh appealed to the government for a rescue.
