The
first batch of children with congenital heart defects have returned home after
successful treatment at the Save a Child Hospital in Israel.
Their
treatment was sponsored by the First Lady of The Gambia, Zineb Jammeh, through
her Operation Save The Children Foundation (OSCF).
Receiving
them on arrival at Banjul International Airport on Friday evening, Hon. Fatou
Lamin Faye, Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, welcomed the children
who have been successfully treated and have fully recovered.
She
announced that the First Lady, among other things, committed D2.4 million to
provide a sponsorship package for saving Gambian children with congenital heart
defects, so they can undertake treatment at the Save a Child’s Heart Hospital
in Israel.
Minister
Faye congratulated the parents of those children for the joy of seeing their
children regain their health, and be reunited with their family.
She
thanked the Almighty for making all things possible, and the executive director
and team of Save a Child’s Heart Hospital from Israel for their contribution to
making their dream come true.
Also
speaking at the welcome ceremony was Simon Fisher, executive director of Save a
Child’s Heart Hospital in Israel, who said this was the beginning of the
partnership between Save a Child’s Heart and Operation Save the Children
Foundation.
“I
believe together we can do a good job for the children of The Gambia suffering
from heart disease, by giving them good medical treatment.
“I
hope to see more children with heart defects brought to Israel to save the
lives of the children in The Gambia,” he added, disclosing that a joint effort
was made both locally and internationally to get the children treated.
Mr
Fisher said together they could do much more to help many children in the
future and save their lives, to give their families a better future, as well as
to give more hope to the country.
He
thanked the parents and children for being very brave and courageous to travel
far and wide with their families, and to come home with a message of hope.
Ruby
Herwokwicz, country manager of Brussels Airlines in Israel, said he was glad to
accompany the children back to their country after being successfully treated,
adding that he hopes to see more children treated from Israel.
“I
am very proud for the successful treatment of the first batch of children,” he
said, and thanked the first lady for making children’s health and well-being
her number one priority.
Haddijatou
Langley, a 12-year-old beneficiary, thanked the first lady for putting smiles
on their face, including their parents and for making them regain their health.
“I
pray for her long life and all the team of OSCF and EFSTH for your endless
support,” she said.
Njundu
Drammeh, coordinator of Child Protection Alliance (CPA), also thanked the first
lady and encouraged her to continue to demonstrate her love and support for
children.
“We
hope that the children who just returned home would speedily recover so that
they are able to enjoy their childhood,” he said.
Investing
in children would actually help in preparing a better Gambia for them, he
added.
Mama
Naffie Sonko, parent to the one-year five-month-old beneficiary, thanked the
President and the first lady for giving her child and the others hope to live.
The
director of Social Welfare, Ajaratou Fanta Bai Secka, also hailed the first
lady and thanked the doctors who did a great job in treating the children.
She
urged family members to take proper care of the children, and ensure they
continue to take their medication as required.