Serrekunda hospital receives ambulances worth over D5 million

In its quest in complementing government efforts in providing quality health services delivery in the country, Yorkshire Ambulance Services of UK has donated two ambulances to the Serrekunda General Hospital.

Officials say the ambulances valued at 80,000 British pounds, (about 5 million dalasis) are targeted to address some of the top challenges the hospital is encountering particularly in terms of referrals to the main hospital in Banjul.

Speaking at the ceremony, Jim Bell, Unison International project organiser said for many years they have been supporting humanitarian projects in The Gambia. “We have been supporting Bijilo Lower Basic School in the recent past. However, we decided to change our focus of direction and support the hospital.”

He said they were able to bring a forty foot container of medical supplies to Serrekunda hospital. “When we spoke with the previous management of the hospital they indicated that they needed an ambulance which we could not get in the container. Apparently, we were able to get two ambulances this time which are donated by Yorkshire Ambulance Services and the UNISON for the transport,” he stated.

Bertha Mboge, a board member of Serrekunda hospital thanked the donors for their benevolent gesture. “One ambulance is just like not having ambulance at all, because evacuation services are lifeline to all hospitals. If you have to evacuate having only on one ambulance you are at a loss.”

The donated ambulances, she added, will go a long way in saving the lives of patients as the hospital serves a big population.

The hospital’s administrative officer Babucarr Saine said the donation is very important taking into account that one of the most important components of health services delivery is the availability of reliable transportation especially in the transportation of patients.

He said the hospital has only one functional ambulance, saying the two ambulances will definitely boost the transport assets of this hospital. “Now, patients will no longer have to wait for longer periods before being evacuated to the teaching hospital.”