The community of Sinchu Baliya in Kombo north district, West Coast Region, recently witnessed the official inauguration of a new health ward project funded by Community Driven Development Project, held at Sinchu Baliya Health Post.
The deputy governor of West Coast Region, Fatou Sanyang, in her inaugural remarks, underscored the significance of health in the lives of the people.
She says no nation can proper if her citizens are not physically and mentally healthy.
Thus the intervention of the CDDP in this sector is indeed timely and welcome, he said, while assuring the people that her office doors are open to welcome them at all time.
Amadou Bah, Alkali of Sinchu Baliya village, stated that since the commencement of the construction of the ward building the community, particularly the youth, participated effectively to its success.
Kent Joof, treasurer of Sinchu Baliya Village Development Committee, said the ward was built in two years to the tune of D602,734.75.
“The ward has toilets, a store, offices and other facilities that has the capacity to admit 20 patients each, and is well ventilated with ceiling fans, with electricity and water supply available.”
According to Mr Joof, the length of the ward is 33m and 6.30m width. The ward, he added, will complement the other wards as far as treatment of patients is concerned.
He used the opportunity to commend the lady and ward councillors and the alkalo, Kumba Barry Bah, Mariama Bah-Saine and Amadou Bah respectively for their efforts in ensuring that the people of the area have access to quality health facility without any difficulty.
Dr Baba Jobarteh, officer in charge of Sinchu Baliya Health Post, said the construction of a new ward is timely and important for the people in the area.
“The development has come at a time when there is high demand considering the number of patients received in the facility,” he said.
According to him, from September 2009 to date they have administered over 450 live births, which is a significant figure thanks to the support of the initiators of the health post.
He said they receive patients from Sinchu Baliya catchment areas including Sinchu Alhagie, Nema Kunku, Wellingara, Tabokoto, Kunkujang Keitaya, Old Yundum, Daru Busumbala, Latriya and Jabang, who all make best use of the health post.
Dr Jobarteh appealed for more equipment for effective service delivery at the centre to avoid unnecessary referrals to other hospitals.
Kumba Barry Bah, the lady councillor, hailed the CDDP for their support towards improving the lives of the local people.
Balla Musa Conateh, CDDP grant facility manager, said the CDDP is concerned with the development of the people of The Gambia and are always pleased to intervene to improve the standard of living of the Gambians.
He added: “CDDP is the intermediate between the beneficiaries and the donors to ensure there is a coordinated scheme to ensure transparency in all the processes.”
Conateh added that the CDDP has intervened in 600 communities across the country to complement the efforts of the central government.
He commended the people of Sinchu Baliya for adhering to the contractual agreement.
Alhagie Sankareh, principal public health officer in West Coast Region, said nation-building is a collective responsibility for all Gambians to contribute their quota towards achieving it.
“This health post, if given all what it requires to operate, will go long way in providing health services for the people of Sinchu Baliya and its environs,” he said.
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