It is worthy of notice, that Trust Bank, since 1998 to date, has been contributing strategically, handsomely to the development of the health sector. Indeed Trust Bank has always shown unwavering commitment to humanitarian endeavours in many areas of special needs, and would always complement government’s development efforts.
Mr President, the health sector, which is one of the top priorities of government, needs more special equipment, technology, scanners, generators, ambulances, and drugs. We therefore encourage other corporate bodies to emulate Trust Bank in meeting the felt needs of the people and Gambian society, as a way to complement government’s efforts and spur socioeconomic development. Need we say, securing the nation's health is fundamental to productivity. Hence, the government should continually train and motivate health workers to specialise in various strands of the health discipline in order to meet the challenges of the work.
Mr President, there is scarcity of lab and radiology equipment as well as technicians. For instance, Bakau, which is a big town, needs doctors at the health centre. The Ndeban Clinic is now full to capacity, as there is no space for patients, who now sit under the trees of the hospital waiting for treatment.
While drugs are in inadequate supply, there is sometimes also shortage of fuel for hospital ambulances. Furthermore, emergency services lack skilled personnel at major hospitals across the country, adding to the fact that rural areas are also in dire need of doctors.
Mr President, it would be advisable to pay a visit to the hospitals to see things for yourself and hear alarming reports that need urgent attention.
Your advisers would tell you everything is ok to evade giving you the real picture of the situation at the health facilities in the country.
Mr President, another burning issue is the traffic. Whenever you are travelling across the country, the traffic police put the traffic on hold too early and for too long a time, which is not too good for movement of people and vehicles. The hurting traffic is causing so much harm to vehicles, which are affected by over-heating and waste of fuel. There is also undue stalling of business transactions and movement of people when major highways are cordoned off for the presidential motorcade. It is therefore essential that government consider making more feeder roads and rehabilitate older ones for access to movement.
Mr President, it has come to the notice of The Point that since the announcement of the groundnut trade to start on November 30, 2023, farmers and dealers have not been able to locate anyone at the various ‘seccos’ or sites to sell their groundnuts, which is pegged at D38,000 per tonne. Many have contacted The Point complaining that they have groundnuts but are unable to sell because the trade season is yet to commence in earnest. They are calling on the government to encourage the GGC - Gambia Groundnut Corporation - to commence buying their groundnuts; otherwise they would be forced to go and sell in neighbouring countries.
Good day!