British Philanthropist Hail Government

Lady Kira Dalton, the Director of African Oyster Foundation, a British registered charity has commended the government of The Gambia for the success registered in the health and education sectors. The British charity has completed the construction of a new health centre in Jarra Jappineh, building of a staff quarters, provision of medicines and payment of salaries for staff for a period of one year amounting to $50, 000.

Lady Dalton described the education and health, as core sectors, which she said, are prerequisite for rapid development of the country.

The Director of African Oyster Foundation made these remarks in an interview with this paper recently. She noted that government cannot do it alone and the numerous philanthropic gesture of her foundation, which includes constructions of Mariama Mae Nursery School in Gunjur and Kunta Kinteh Nursery School in Kunkujang and a clinic for Gunjur Lower Basic School, are all meant to complement the efforts of the government.

She added that a nursery school was built by her foundation at Jarra Jappineh in 2001.

Lady Kaira said the outpatient unit of the new health centre has offered medical services to 352 patients in March 2009, and 396 patients in April 2009. She said these figures are expected to increase in the rainy season, and that the health facility will offer affordable medical care to the people.

Speaking further, Lady Kira noted that the fees generated from the health services are expected to sustain the health centre in the coming years. She commended her fellow Directors of the foundation, members of the US Kastia Foundation, Village Development Committee of Jappineh and other partners for their efforts towards the completion of the health facility.

Kira Dalton outlined the constraints of the health centre, which she said, include the need for a mid-wife, an ambulance and to be incorporated as partner in the anti-malaria campaign. She expressed hope that these constraints would be addressed in due course.