The donated items amounting to D15 million include 16 patient trolleys, 23 boxes of ethicon blake silicone drain, 20 medical better and mattresses, 15 boxes of colostomy bags, 30 wheelchairs and 225 boxes of syringes pack among other things.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at the hospital premise in Banjul, Imam Ebou Ndure, representative of Human Appeal International, said the gesture was geared towards complementing government effort in the health sector, saying those equipment, machines and medical supplies had been sourced with great logistical challenges and shipped to The Gambia.
“We are entrusted by the donors and board of management of Human Appeal Ireland to deliver it and I appeal to the authorities and management of the hospital to take inventory of all these supplies and use it for the patients” he said.
“A healthy nation will boost national development, people don’t choose to be sick and they expect treatment after falling ill. Sickness does not discriminate based on tribes and gender. Every segment of the society needs good and accessible health care healing physically, mentally and spiritually.”
According to Mr. Ndure, EFSTH hospital has been cardinal and key in the delivery of health care to the population. It is the last resort of hope for patients and caregivers, care in the paediatric ward, care in the surgical unit, care in the field of medicine and care in the obstetrics and gynaecology and certainly in the maternity ward for women folk.
“Our women are our sisters, our mothers and nearly half of the population of this country. Their health and welfare should take priority above everything.”
Also speaking, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, Muhammed Lamin Jaiteh, on behalf of the minister, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the donors. He described the gesture as big for the Ministry of Health and the people of The Gambia, as it would go a long way in improving service delivery of the hospital
He thanked Human Appeal International for complementing government’s efforts and urged others to emulate the gesture, “because the government cannot do it alone.”
Professor Ousman Nyan, chief medical director at EFSTH, also joined speakers in thanking the donors for the gesture, describing it as a big gesture to the Gambian people and called on other supporters who are willing to help to come forward.
He thanked Human Appeal International for their timely intervention, saying that was not the first time they had supported the Gambian people.
