The Late Dr. Hatib Njie was a renowned Obstetrician Gynaecologist having obtained the diploma (DRCOG) and Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG) in 1970 and 1972 respectively. In 1975 he became a fellow of the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS) and in 1980 obtained the Master’s degree in Public Health (MSC) from the University Of The London Institute Of Child Health, specializing in Mother and Child Health.
Nationally, Dr. Njie’s work experience included that of a specialist Obstetric Gynaecologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital, The Late Dr. Njie was subsequently deployed to the Ministry of Health as Assistant Director of Medical Services (1980-1985) and then Director of Medical Services (1985-1989).
Internationally, he served as Reproductive and Child Health Adviser at the sub regional office in Mali and the Regional Office of the African Region of the World Health Organization in Brazzaville. In 1994, Dr. Njie was appointed as WHO Representative to Uganda, a position he held till 2000.On his retirement, he served as a senior policy adviser to the Director General of the World Health Organization in Geneva Switzerland from 2000 to 2002.
Horizons Trust Gambia is one of 3 charities (UK, USA) linked to the Horizons hospital to be established in The Gambia. The Trust through its philanthropic work supports in part the ambition of the clinic to provide high quality health care for all Gambians with a focus on improving the health of women and children according to the Millennium Development Goals 3 and 4 through partnerships thereby supporting government’s efforts.
Hatib Njie was appointed as a Trustee of the Horizons Trust Gambia, and was elected as secretary to the Trust in August 2012.
Hatib’s invitation to become a Trustee was based on the fact that after his retirement from public service, he vigorously continued to provide technical support, and advice to both national and international organizations in the fields of maternal and child health. Furthermore, Dr.Hatib Njie played a central role in all key activities towards establishing the Horizons Hospital in The Gambia
In his role as a Trustee, Hatib brought a vast array of both national and international experiences. First as a renowned Obstetrician Gynaecologist, a manager and planner as Director of Medical Services and a Public Health expert to the premier world Health Organization.
He championed the Horizons project mission from its infancy. As secretary, Hatib was an excellent communicator ensuring that ideas of all Trustees were not only captured but recorded with the uttermost accuracy. Trustees in particular, have benefited abundantly from his profound professional knowledge, experience, and skills (including the ability to forge valuable partnerships) as well as from his numberless personal qualities. He was extremely industrious, polite, respectable, and ready to help always and honest above all.
Of note was his untiring effort in spearheading a series of assessments with the greatest of commitment on the status of infection control and prevention in maternity settings in 6 maternity units countrywide with one of our key partners Soapbox from Aberdeen.
The results of these assessment have become the bedrock for the Trust’s strategic directions to support the improvement of infection control and prevention in maternity units, a key ingredient for reducing maternal, infant and child mortality. Hatib had a practical approach to reducing infection and control in maternity units which was not only limited to training but also to the provision of supplies, policy changes and the provision of infrastructural needs.
Hatib’s modest and unassuming nature, personal interest, friendship for individual Trustees endeared him to the hearts of Trustees and partners alike
As Trustees we join others in paying our collective tribute to the late Hatib Njie who tirelessly served Horizon till his demise with all humility. Indeed he was a scholar and a gentleman.
For his lifelong practical commitment to quality healthcare worldwide and achievements we posthumously thank Hatib and may his soul rest in perfect peace. May God grant his family the fortitude to bear up their irreparable loss.
CHAIRMAN AND TRUSTEES OF HORIZON TRUST GAMBIA
