US-based Gambian donates medical items to Brikama Health Centre

By Omar Bah Alieu Sanneh, a Gambian based in North Carolina (USA), Thursday donated medical items to the Brikama Health Centre in a ceremony held at the health centre grounds. The donated items included BM machine for diabetes, armchairs, wheelchairs, injections, needles and other items. Speaking shortly after the handing-over, Alieu Sonko, Officer-in-Charge of Brikama Health Centre on behalf of the health centre and the Ministry of Health thanked the Gambian philanthropist for his laudable gesture. “Health is very expensive and as a result the government alone cannot do everything. That’s why the coming in of individuals, organizations and families to complement the efforts of the government is very crucial,” he added. He said: “This would go a long way to reduce the mortality, especially the vulnerable group, who are mostly the child-bearing mothers and the children under five years”. Mr Sonko further noted that the mortality in The Gambia is still high and will need collective efforts from the communities, individuals in the health sector and the government to put hands together to ensure it is put under control. Meanwhile, Alieu Sanneh, the donor who is a Gambian from Brikama Wellingara, now residing in North Carolina (USA) working in the healthcare domain said helping the needy and the poor is his adventure. “I have been helping the health centre in the Gambia for many years now and I will continue doing so with the help of God. So this time I decided to collect some medical items to donate them to my country,” he said. He said: “I have been talking to a lot of people in the US who also contributed some of the items. I did this just to contribute to the community’s development”. Cecilia Mendy, head of the Maternity Unit at Brikama Health Centre, said the items are very useful to the facility, as they would help improve efficiency at the health centre. She thanked the benefactor for showing true patriotism and love for his country by bringing home items that that will save lives. Dr Bubacarr Kambi, also working at the health centre, said: “I hope many other Gambians from their various communities would emulate Alieu Sanneh and do similar things to help their own communities,” he said. He added: “There are a lot of materials that are very useful to us and there are so many things lacking in our facilities; so such gestures are always very welcome.”]]>