Trust Bank Gambia Limited, the main sponsor of the RVTH sanatorium locally called Wenture, yesterday handed over the newly-refurbished waiting room and laboratory of the Sanatorium to its management.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the Sanatorium grounds, the minister of Health and Social Welfare, Fatim Badjie, said that was not the first time she had witnessed such an occasion, noting that a few weeks ago Trust Bank was at Farafenni giving out more support to the health sector.
According to minister Badjie, the laboratory services are very dear to her ministry’s heart, especially at this point in the health sector, when there is a lot of expansion within the catchment areas and, as a result, demand is increasing.
“The laboratories are supposed to look at different areas, for they do not only diagnose communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases, but it is also important that there are exclusive laboratory for certain kinds of cases, and that is why today is a great day to the ministry,” she said.
The Health minister stated that patients who have certain needs that are exclusive can actually come to the laboratories and get the diagnoses required in order to get the right amount of treatment without exposing other patients, and going to other laboratories.
Health minister Badjie revealed that last year over 25 laboratories in the country were expanded nationwide.
The treatment of TB, she added, is very challenging, because it is a treatment that takes about six months, and requires consistent follow-up and a lot of attention, and that to have such areas like the Sanatorium would be helpful to the patients.
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She further stated that disease surveillance in the country is very sharp, and that they have the right number of hospitals to look into the cases and address the situations immediately.
She commended the management of Trust Bank for making the health sector a priority.
The General Manager of Trust Bank, Oreme Joiner, said the beautifully constructed laboratory building and waiting room, which was handed over to the RVTH, cost D1.3 million.
“We at Trust Bank have long recognized that a pleasant and comfortable environment contributes immeasurably in the recuperation process of patients, and this is an ideal we will continue to work towards. In addition to all of these, we are finalizing arrangements for additional works that we will be embarking on here very soon to further beautify the Sanatorium.”
GM Joiner revealed that in the next few years, Trust Bank will develop an insatiable appetite to transform the facility into an enviable specialist hospital that provides comfort and convenience for patients and staff.
He noted that Trust Bank have been able to achieve a lot through building an additional ward, a laundry room and kitchen, replacing the ceiling of the main ward with modern fittings and lighting, providing new beds and side cupboards, building a mortuary, a guard house, and a pavement.
Other speakers on the occasion included Dr Ahmad Secka, chief medical director of the RVTH and Ismaila Njie, chairperson of the RVTH board.
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