The project, currently ongoing at the hospital, has seen the installment of tanks with compressors at various strategic locations in the hospital.
The project also includes an ablution facility for the hospital’s Masjid.
The tanks provided are stationed at the following facilities within the hospital: Operation - 5,000 liters tank; Accident and Emergency block - 5,000 liters tank on the ground, 5000 liters tank on the roof; Accident and Emergency doctors flat – 2,000 liters tank; UTG medical science unit - 3,000 liters tank; the Masjid - 2,000 liters tank; X-Ray - 5000 liters tank; and Maternal ward – 5,000 liter tank and 2000 liters tank.
Muhammed Nyan, the Chief Executive Officer for WHIPSO Gambia, said the initiative or helping hand was necessitated following their visit to the hospital last year. During the visit, he explained, they realised that inadequate water supply or provision was one of the main constraints of the hospital.
He said they initially embarked on drilling a borehole for the hospital but the drilling process failed because of the salinity of the water in Banjul.
“Major areas that experience water shortage were identified for us and those are the places we have stationed the tanks,” he said, adding that a survey was carried out by Dembo Enterprise who confirmed that they needed to at least support the hospital with 9 water tanks.
Mr Nyan observed that government cannot do everything, hence the need for partners and donors to complement their efforts.
An appeal for new toilet and bathroom facilities as well as rehabilitation of old toilets was also made to CEO Nyan, following another tour round the hospital.
He urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the materials to avoid untimely dilapidation of the facilities of the water system.
He also appealed to donors for more support to the hospital, saying the country belongs to everyone. “The health sector should be boosted to a higher level,” he added.
Adama Mbye, Operations Manager at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), describes water as very vital, saying the project will ensure less contamination of water in the health sector, particular for them at the hospital.
“We need water to do all the things at the hospital,” he affirmed, thanking WHIPSO through its CEO for the initiative to support and facilitate the water system at the hospital.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Health, Chief Medical Director, management, patients and staff of the hospital, we thank WHIPSO Gambia for their assistance,” he added.
He appealed to other NGOs, philanthropists and individuals to emulate WHIPSO Gambia by supporting the health sector, since government cannot do it all alone.
“Whatsoever you put in the health sector is worth it, because you never know who the next victim will be at the theatre,” he said, calling on every Gambian to contribute to the health sector, especially to the country’s main referral hospital, which is the apex of all health facilities in the country.
He assured WHIPSO Gambia that they would take great care of the water system and its facilities and ensure swift repair and replacement of the compressors whenever they have problems. He also said they hope WHIPSO Gambia would continue to help in other areas or aspects of the hospital.
