Basirou Drammeh, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kanifing General Hospital emphasised the significance of the donated items, labeling them as essential to the delivery of healthcare services.
“For years, the donors have been committed to ensuring that every hospital in the country benefits from their generosity. By donating these bed sheets to hospitals across the nation, you are truly touching the hearts of all Gambians. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your contribution. While you could have chosen to allocate your resources elsewhere, you have instead chosen to support our healthcare system, bolstering the government's efforts to provide quality health services to Gambians,” CEO Drammeh said.
The CEO of Emporium generously donated a substantial contribution through the Pipeline Mosque Foundation, which includes 700 bed sheets, each valued at 825 dalasis, totaling an impressive 577,500 dalasis. In addition to these essential items, the foundation presented a cheque for 50,000 dalasis to Kanifing Hospital to support the maintenance of its mortuary.
Drammeh added: “Health care is costly, and thus it is a collective responsibility as the government cannot shoulder this burden alone. By supplying bed sheets to hospitals, you will significantly contribute to maintaining high-quality services for patients.
“Rather than spending government funds on bed sheets, we will redirect those resources towards purchasing emergency and life-saving medications for patients. This shift means that donors are making a significant impact in saving lives. We look forward to continuing our partnership to enhance the health sector of our country."
The donor, he went on, “are actively supporting our mortuary department, and we have exciting plans to construct a state-of-the-art mortuary within the hospital”.
“Ongoing discussions are taking place, and we are currently collaborating with Gamwork to initiate the project,” he added, saying: “The new mortuary will not only serve the Kanifing area but will also benefit many Gambians from various parts of the country and even non-Gambians. Given the high number of deceased individuals we receive, establishing a standard mortuary is crucial for providing assistance to countless people throughout the nation.”
He went on: “We express our heartfelt gratitude to the donor for their ongoing support of our country's health sector. While many in our community focus solely on personal gain, funneling their profits abroad or to family members, your commitment to enhancing our health infrastructure is truly commendable. What makes this gesture even more admirable is that the donor is also involving their children in this noble effort.”
Alhagie Badou Faye, the Chairman of the Foundation, emphasised the importance of delivering quality health services. He stated: “For the past 15 years, our foundation has been actively supporting hospitals across the country. While our commitment extends beyond the health sector to encompass various humanitarian and Islamic initiatives, we want to specifically express our gratitude to the donor and their family for their unwavering support over these years.
“Their contributions have consistently increased significantly enhancing our efforts each year. Furthermore, they are generously funding the maintenance of the hospital's mortuary with an annual contribution of fifty thousand dalasis provided by the donor.”
Ahmad Ghanim Diab, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Emporium, iterated the critical role of quality healthcare service delivery for both developed and developing nations.
“Everyone has a responsibility to support the health sector; it’s not solely the government's duty. We must unite to improve the country’s health sector, as anyone can find themselves in need of help,” he said.
He also affirmed his commitment to this humanitarian effort, sharing that his children are actively involved in the process to ensure that this noble cause continues even after his retirement.
Ebrima Manneh and Abdou A.B. Njie, esteemed board members of the foundation, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the donor for his unwavering support of hospitals nationwide. They also encouraged other donors to follow his inspiring example and contribution to enhancing the country's healthcare sector.
Burama Badjie, the Administrator of Bansang Hospital in the Central River Region, emphasised the critical role of bed sheets in healthcare, stating, “The significance of bed sheets in our health sector cannot be overstated, as they greatly enhance patient comfort. This comfort plays a vital role in the recovery process.
“Essentially, your contributions aid in the swift recovery of patients not only in our region but throughout the entire country. For instance, we receive patients from the Upper River Region and even Senegal, meaning your support is helping patients recover as far away as Senegal.”
