By Fatou I Touray
Two rural communities, Nema Kunku in the Upper Nuimi District of the North Bank Region, and Ngau Sawalo in Upper Saloum, CRR, have each been provided ambulances, to address the referral needs of health posts in their areas. Speaking during the handing over ceremony, the Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Lamin Samateh, took the opportunity to announce that his ministry received a support of US$25 million from UNICEF for the purchase of drugs meant for health facilities all over the country. All of this he said is in line with government’s efforts to revitalise and improve health service delivery in the country.
He promised that renovation and upgrading of some health posts and minor health centres will commence in the country.
About the ambulances donated, the Health officials informed that the gesture is from the President of the Republic, following a promise he made during the recently concluded ‘Meet the people tour’. Dr Samateh underscored the importance of health. He said although health care materials are very expensive yet government is doing all it can to provide for the health care needs of Gambians.
He announced that soon there will be a standby ambulance that will pick patients from home and transport to the nearest health facility.
He commended the staff of the health posts for the good service they are rendering to the communities, while urging them to take good care of the ambulances. The maintenance and fueling, he said will be taken care of by the Riders for Health.
Honorable Omar Darboe, National Assembly member of the area, thanked the minister for delivering the ambulance. He noted that women suffered a lot especially during labour. He called for the improvement of the road condition to enable easy access to the hospital.
Mrs Sira Badjie, the nurse in charge at the Nema Kunku Health post, having thanked government for the gesture, requested for the strengthening of the laboratory, the pharmacy, the family planning room, and provision of drugs at the health post. She added that the labour ward is small and needs some beds.
Among other speakers at the event were Honorable Alagie Mbowe, NAM for Upper Saloum; Alakalo of Nema Kunku Salieu S Drammeh; Alieu Saine, of the VDC; and Seyfo Demba Sey of Ngau. All of them expressed delight for the gesture. The minister and delegation also visited Darou, Nawlirou, Kerr Ardo and Kerewan in Baddibu to see the state of their health facility and what can be done to address them.
