Established some seven to eight years ago, the association seeks to support community development, thereby bringing Gambians in Canada under one umbrella.
At the event, Jayeh Jawo, secretary general of Canadian Gambian Youth Development Association, disclosed that said their mission is to contribute to the improvement of healthcare facilities in The Gambia, with particular emphasis on challenges faced by those in need of dialysis treatment and individuals with disabilities.
“With this and subsequent donation to come, we hope to alleviate the struggles that Gambians encounter in accessing dialysis services and ultimately make this vital treatment more widely available and accessible to all citizens.”
Jawo made reference to the expensive nature of medical care these days especially when some someone has to travel to Senegal or abroad “to seek dialysis treatment.”
“We want to contribute in reducing our dependence on foreign countries for dialysis treatment and some of the most vulnerable members of our society.”
The significance of the donation, he added, lies in “their collective commitment to fostering positive change within the country’s healthcare sector and to ensure that every Gambian has access to quality dialysis treatment in the country.”
He thus thanked the hospital management for their cooperation, further commending Gambians in Toronto for their selfless service to national development.
In receiving the items on behalf of Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Dr. Abubacarr Jagne, Deputy Medical Chief Director, thanked the Gambian association for complementing government efforts in the health delivery system, saying the items donated would go a long way in making their work easy.
“We have seen the support that you given us, and this will go a long way in helping the needy people to solve their major problems of kidney issues.
Kebba Sanneh, Principal Public Relations Officer at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, equally thanked members of the association and all those who contributed in one way or another towards the initiative.
Alpha Kunta Khan, who was also at the ceremony, said those machines would undoubtedly add value to what the hospital is doing and to minimise long delay in accessing health services.
“We just re-assure the Canadian Gambian Youth Development Association that these equipments will be put into good use, and called on other organisations to emulate what those people have just started doing.”
