The donation, presented on Thursday, August 13, 2026, is aimed at strengthening dental healthcare delivery, improving the operational capacity of the dental clinic and supporting the training of a new generation of dentists in The Gambia.
The equipment is expected to enhance the clinic’s ability to provide essential dental services while also creating a more conducive environment for practical training as the country prepares to commence dental training programmes at the medical school.
Among the items donated are two dental chairs, an oil-less compressor, an assistant tool, a built-in ultrasound machine, an LED curing light, an autoclave, an ultrasonic cleaner, a water distiller and an X-ray unit.
The donation also includes a high-speed turbine, slow-speed turbine and a step-down transformer, all of which are essential for the delivery of modern dental services and practical training.
In addition to the equipment, the Senghore family presented D100,000 to support the purchase of dental consumables needed to get the unit fully operational.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Momodou Senghore said the donation was primarily motivated by the desire to support dental training and contribute to the development of home-grown dental professionals.
He said the family was particularly encouraged after learning that the medical school was preparing to introduce a dental training programme.
“She learnt with pride that the medical school is about to start a dental training programme and believes that this modest donation will contribute to the successful training of our own home-grown dentists,” he said.
According to Senghore, the family’s contribution is intended not only to improve the availability of dental equipment but also to support the broader development of healthcare capacity in The Gambia.
He said the family locally decided to complement the equipment donation with the D100,000 contribution towards dental consumables, describing it as a patriotic gesture aimed at helping the dental unit begin its operations effectively.
“In support of this patriotic gesture from our daughter and sister, the family locally has decided to make a contribution of D100,000 to purchase dental consumables to get the unit started,” he said.
Senghore further reaffirmed the family’s commitment to ensuring that Gambians have access to quality dental healthcare, regardless of their background or status.
The donation comes at a time when strengthening specialised healthcare services and developing local health professionals remain important priorities for the country.
Beyond addressing immediate equipment needs, the contribution is expected to have a longer-term impact by supporting practical training for aspiring dentists, reducing reliance on external training opportunities and helping to build local expertise in dental healthcare.
The Senghore family’s intervention therefore represents both a philanthropic contribution to the health sector and an investment in the future of dental education and services in The Gambia.
With the introduction of dental training on the horizon, the equipment is expected to provide students with practical exposure to the tools and technologies used in modern dental practice, while simultaneously strengthening the capacity of the EFSTH Dental Clinic to serve patients.
The family said its commitment reflects a belief that improving healthcare should be a shared responsibility, with individuals, families and institutions playing their part in supporting national development.
The donation is consequently expected to serve both present patients and future generations of Gambian dental professionals.
