The Gambia Healthcare Matters (UK), a newly formed charity based in Britain yesterday presented over 3000 Pounds worth of materials to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul. The items which included bed sheets, towels, blood sugar testing materials, wheel chairs and a host of other vital hospital amenities are meant to improve conditions at the 8 and 3 (Orthopaedic) ward. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Kebba Marenah Orthopaedic surgeon consultant who addressed the gathering on behalf of MHM UK chairman Musa Krubally the charity has been in existence since 2017 through the initiative of Gambians with love for country and a desire and passion to help better The Gambia’s healthcare system for every individual living in or visiting The Gambia.
“We are happy to be able to do our little bit from our side of the diaspora, to be able to help in the upliftment of our healthcare services, especially our main referral hospital, EFSTH, hence this donation of items today, “he said.
He added that though the Gambia is known as the Smiling Coast of Africa, laced with lovely beaches and a Mecca for holidaymakers, her healthcare system however, leaves much to be desired.
“For a population of 2 million, for many years our motherland still struggles to compete with its neighbouring countries to have in place, a healthcare system that all can be proud of. People who cannot afford a fee for their treatment in hospital die every day from communicable and non-communicable diseases or wounds, which could have been easily managed or treated. This situation is unfortunate, however, at GHM (UK), we are not pointing fingers, instead we want to help. We understand, after 22 years of healthcare neglect, it might be a daunting task for this government alone to help the healthcare system recuperate, ” Marenah told the gathering.
He further said GHM UK acknowledged SSHFC as the main organisation supporting the 8 & 3 ward, adding that their little donation is just to support their efforts in helping the Orthopedic ward.
The PRO of EFSTH Modou Lamin Jammeh thanked Dr Marenah who is himself a member of the GHCM and his colleagues for the laudable initiative and passed the floor to the matron Lamin Sanyang and head of the ward Adama Njie, both of whom said the materials are timely.
