The Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Abdoulie Bojang, has commended the management and staff of AFPRC General Hospital in Farafenni, for promoting transparency and accountability in the management of public resources and drugs, to improve health care service delivery.
Hon. Bojang was speaking recently in Farafenni, when the hospital management held the institution’s 2013 health service data dissemination interface with stakeholders, partners and the communities.
He said the move was in conformity with the requirements of the Public Accounts and Public Enterprises Committees at the National Assembly.
Dr Mamadi Cham, chief executive officer of AFPRC General Hospital thanked the government for establishing the hospital, noting that it had enhanced health care delivery in the area.
The hospital had registered achievements in providing quality health care service; the management and board have worked to improve the quality of clinical services, improve staff motivation, data management, maintenance of infrastructure, institutional linkages and sponsoring staff to undergo training at the School Enrolment Nurses in Bansang and the Community Health Nurses School in Mansakonko.
The allocated government subvention has enabled the hospital to registered remarkable success, Dr. Cham added.
The CEO noted that during the period under review, due to sound financial management, the hospital had settled all it outstanding debts and other liabilities, graduated from an overdraft and procured the required drugs and supplies whenever supplies are low.
The major achievements include the availability of blood for emergencies, doctors available 24/7 to attend to all referrals and emergencies, and the management undertakes regular systems and clinical audits, Dr Cham said.
The year 2013 witnessed some key challenges, including an acute shortage of midwives and other trained nurses such as nurse anaesthetists, scrub nurses, and the lack of surgeon warranting high referrals to Banjul, and a lack of Gambian doctors.
He said the management instituted stringent measures for trained health care providers to be available in all shifts and wards and units at all times.
Batch Cham, the hospital administrator, praised staff for their support to the management in the attainment of quality health care.
Over the years, more efforts were undertaken to improve the welfare of staff such as to enhance effective human resources development and, by extension, provide quality health care delivery.
The hospital administrator said the meeting convened was all aimed at sharing the achievements and challenges with stakeholders and partners in the spirit of public accountability.
Alhaji Karamba Keita, the regional health director, said other health facilities should promote such an interface with stakeholders.
