The inauguration ceremony was held in Sanyang and was witnessed by many dignitaries and a cross section of people from the village.
In his launch statement, the minister of Health and Social Welfare, Omar Sey said the ministry was recognising the need to scale up some of the country’s health facilities particularly those in the Greater Banjul Area to major health centres. He said this was due to the increasing demand for health care services.
He said: “I assure you, my ministry will work tirelessly day and night to support the health care services, particularly Sanyang Major Health Centre. All of you have shown the entire Gambians and well wishers of The Gambia that there is a need for communities to prioritise their needs and in so doing complement efforts of government in achieving and realising the needs. Sanyang community through her pragmatism has already started the construction of staff quarters for senior essential staff of the facility at no cost to the government.”
Sey added that the people of Sanyang have always manifested patriotism in nation building and development. He advised the staff of the major health centre to double their efforts in the execution of their daily duties.
On her part, Tida S Kinteh, the chief nursing officer of Sanyang Major Health Centre expressed delight at the inauguration of the facility into a major health centre.
She added: “Sanyang health centre is surrounded by five community clinics and one health centre and the present staff capacity are, one registered midwife, one role midwife, one CCM/midwife, one public health officer, one laboratory assistant, two nurse attendants and nine volunteers.”
Kinteh disclosed that the health facility has registered significant progress and that the rate of referrals has been lowered due to redeployment of trained staff. On the constraints, she said that staff capacity, accommodation, furniture, beds, mattresses, computers and cleaning materials were all inadequate.
Sheriff Bojang, chairman of the Village Development Committee stated that upgrading the facility into a major health centre bore testimony to the Ministry of Health’s commitment to delivery proper health care services to the citizenry. He promised that the VDC will continue to pay greatest attention, to the highest attainable standards of health in the community and as well complement government’s efforts in health care service.
Others speakers included Alkalo of Jabang, Alhaji Jabero Jabang, Mr Ngelly Ababoucarry Sambou, the regional director of Health Services Western 2 Health Region, Brikama, and National Assembly for Kombo South, Abdou Colley.
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