By Omar Bah
The Governor of West Coast Region, Bakary Sanneh has on Wednesday spearheaded the commissioning of the Brikama Health Center newly constructed D1.5 mortuary.
The mortuary was funded by the ex-pupils of Brikama primary school, women groups and other philanthropists residing in and outside of West Coast Region.
The commissioning was attended by members of Brikama-Diasporan in Seattle who sponsored the refrigerator, government officials and the community of Brikama.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the governor of WCR, Bakary Sanneh said the fact that the all project was planned and initiated by the ex-pupils of Brikama Primary school and many other concern individuals and associations will remind in the history books forever.
He thanked all those who contributed in one way or the other to the successful completion of the mortuary.
“What we should learn from this noble gesture is that no task is impossible if one is dedicated to achieve it at all means. This group of ex-students and partners has the vision to give back to the society in their little earnings and through commitment they were able to achieve it,” he said.
He said the project will not only benefit the people of Brikama, but the entire community of West Coast Region.
The CEO of Brikama area council, Mam Sait Jallow reaffirmed the importance his office attaches to the mortuary, saying any effort, care or investment geared towards taking care of the departed souls is undoubtedly an investment for hereafter.
He said given the fact that council is the prime service provider of the region without boundaries in its mandate, “We thought it most appropriate for council to take charge in totality of its administration and management accordingly.”
“Council has adequately budgeted for the maintenance and up keeping of the facility with a view to ensuring that the services provided here are done to the satisfaction of the bereaved families,” he said.
He announced his council’s decision to immediately increase the number of employees at the mortuary to ensure services are rendered timely and efficiently.
The executive director, TANGO and president of the ex-pupils of Brikama primary school association, Ousman Yarbo said his association’s decision to start mobilizing to build the mortuary was borne out of experience.
“I can recall when the chief’s court clerk passed away at the hospital, the administration said the dead body should be taken away because they don’t have the capacity at the mortuary. Unfortunately before we could do all the arrangements to take the dead to Kwinella it has already decomposed,” he said.
He said it was after that incident he decided to start mobilising his association members, philanthropists, women vendors, diasporans and women Kafos to fund the project.
Officer in charge at the hospital Alieu Sonko thanked the sponsors of the facility, saying the guiding principle of Gambia’s health ministry is to ensure strong partnership to optimize coordination and collaboration that promotes transparency.
Meanwhile, the imam of Brikama Central Mosque, Alhagie Sankung Touray said Brikama and the neighboring communities that come to the health facility used to find it difficult to keep corpse especially when they pass away at late hours but said that will now be history.
Imam Touray said human life on earth is a short one, encouraging the mortuary operators to continue their good work. “We have to do things that please Allah (SWA) in order to earn a chance to enter Jannah when we die.”
