Fatoumata
Bah-Barrow Foundation (FABB) with the support from Gamtel/Gamcel and
Karpowership, yesterday awarded a total
cash amount of D75, 000 dalasis and baby clothings to the first two born babies
of 2020 in three hospitals: Banjul, Serrekunda and Bundung.
The
first-born babies were awarded with a sum of D15, 000 with the support from
Gamtel/Gamcel, while the second babies were sponsored by Karpowership with the
amount of D10, 000.
Ahmad
Lamin Samateh, the minister of Health said the event has been taking place
every beginning of a new year to welcome the first and second babies of the
year.
“The
first lady’s endeavour should be emulated in helping each other because no one
can do it without us. The engine of development should come from us,” he said.
He
applauded the nurses, while saying that working in a health sector is very
difficult and is a risk.
However
Dr. Samateh believes that 2020 would be a game changer, adding that they have
started mobilising more resources with their partners to help the health
sector.
Kebba
Sanneh, the public relations office of Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital
(EFSTH), said this has become a tradition that every end of year, the first
lady donates to the first, second and third new born babies.
“This
year the first born in EFSTH was born at 12.49 a.m. and the baby mother’s name
is Oumie Jallow, the baby is a female. The second male baby was born at 01:45
by Haddy Mendy. We are happy that our own staff in the hospital happens to be a
winner of this wonderful gift.” he disclosed.
Dr.
Charles Robert, deputy medical director at EFSTH, said it is always a joyous
occasion when a new baby is born in EFSTH, but most particular in a day like
this.
Kebba
Manneh, the ECO of Kanifing Hospital, thanked the donors for the ‘great
gestures.’
“Our
first baby in Kanifing was born at 12:03 a.m. and is a girl, while the second
baby boy born at 12:35 a.m.”
The
first baby’s mother is Binta Jassey from Sukuta and the second’s mother is
Binta Bojang from Willingara.”
Dwelling
on the difficulties they are facing, CEO Manneh outlined space as their first
challenge, saying they are working very hard to expand the hospital but need
support.
“We
are hoping to have new equipment to be able to carry easy delivery in our
hospital. With the good gesture, I hope the beneficiaries will make the best
use of the materials given to them.”
Fatou
Ceesay, representative of FABB, stated that they have been coming to the
hospital for the past years for similar occasions in supporting the first,
second and third babies of the year,” she recalled.
According
to her, the foundation was launched in 2017, adding that the first lady came
with the initiative to support the health sector, and as part of the good
gestures, the initiative of supporting the first babies of the year is part of
it.
In
Bundung Child and Maternal Hospital, similar engagement was held; where the
fist born baby was welcomed at 01:46 a.m., with her mother Ananias E. Mendy
from Besse village in Foni. The second baby boy and her mother is Saho Ceesay
were welcomed at 01:55 a.m.
