The gesture, they said, is part of their quest to complement government efforts in providing quality health services delivery to Gambians. The maternity ward will be built within the perimeter of the existing Health Facility in the village.
Speaking at the event, Jojo Mbaye, the President of the Club, underscored the significant contribution her association is making towards the development of the country.
The organisation, she added, is aimed at providing the much-needed aid to vulnerable groups and villages in the country, saying: “We have studied and done surveys in so many communities. However, we realised that Chamen is one of the communities that is deserving to have the project.”
Inhabitants of the area, she added, encounter numerous challenges when it comes to child birth, thus the need for the community to have the ward in the health facility.
“Our objectives among others are to ensure that every woman in this village has a decent delivery in a ward that has sufficient equipment which can prevent complications for both the mother and the child,” she said.
She thus called for the patience and cooperation of the residents for the easy and smooth construction of the ward.
While underscoring the importance the maternity ward will have in the area, Jojo also calls on Gambians, adding: “I also want to urge other Gambians who are living in the diaspora, the private sector to come and support and fund this worthy cause.”
Speaking on behalf of the villagers, Jainaba M. Jallow, the Lady Councilor of the area expressed gratitude to the Diaspora Club for their gesture.
Nianija health facility, she explained, is the first hospital in the district. However, she was quick to add that the health facility is lacking a lot in terms of “medical equipment”.
Women who access the health facility, she claims, face the “worst experience”, adding: “The space at the maternity ward can only accommodate one person in the labor room. However, over three women share the same labor ward for delivery, leaving others to wait outside or deliver at home.”
“We have witnessed women give birth outside due to congestion of the ward and this often leads to complications. Therefore, I want to sincerely thank the Diaspora Club for this initiative. This development will go a long way to addressing our worst nightmares,” she emphasised.
Adama Cham, the Chairman of Chamen health facility, hailed the Diaspora Club for championing such a great project.
“We have called for help for the improvement or construction of the ward for several years to no avail. We therefore, want to thank the Diaspora Club for answering our calls.”
Mam Busso Jah, the PRO of the Club, reaffirmed their commitment to complementing the government's efforts in addressing some of the challenges Gambians encounter especially in the health sector.
The targeted amount for the construction of the ward, she said, ranges between 80,000 and 100,000 dollars.
Busso further added: “Our desire is to ensure that the maternity ward has a total of 35 beds. Therefore, 15 beds will be set aside for delivery, while 20 beds will be for admissions.”
The construction of the ward, she continued, is projected to last for nine months to one year, saying: “We want it to finish early provided that we have enough resources and funding.”
She also called for support from potential partners for the smooth construction and realisation of the dream of Chamen women.
Abdoulie Batchily, the contractor, assured the community of Chamen of a standard maternity ward, thus calling for their cooperation and indulgence during the process.
