#National News

EFSTH stages donor breakfast for first surgical confab 

May 10, 2023, 1:36 PM | Article By: Jankey Ceesay

Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) last Saturday staged a donor breakfast for the upcoming first Banjul International Surgical, Scientific Conference and Outreach scheduled for 26th and 27th of May 2023.

The donor breakfast is being organised to attract institutions and individuals to pledge and donate in cash or kind in order to meet the event estimated budget which is equivalent to four million dalasis.

At the event, Dr. Ammar Al Jafari, Chief Medical Director (CMD) at EFSTH and Chief host, shed light on the importance of a country hosting such conference.

“This conference involves the hosting of qualified surgeons as guests, whom give lot of presentation to increase the skill of our doctors. The same time we will conduct lots of operations as we have so many patients who await operation, thus hosting this conference can help if not finish but drastically reduce that waiting list.” he said.

He said that 'if support is put into the initiative' it can stop the issue of patients traveling overseas for surgery which can also contribute to the country’s economic sustainability.

For his part, Dr. Abubacarr Jah, chairman Local Organising Committee, shared that the medical field requires continuous learning process, adding that Gambian doctors should be exposed to events like this and exchange experience with other doctors from across the world.

"Therefore, having a Banjul International Surgical Scientific Conference annually will serve the purpose because the more the doctors learn the more updated they get and the better they provide good health care services. Thus, this should be a concern of every Gambian as we all need good health care services.” he explained.

Dr Jah, therefore encouraged Gambians to generously donate for the successful hosting of the event.

“We have qualified doctors in the country that can boost the country’s health system if they are given the support and here is a chance to upgrade their knowledge and skills we thus, need all the support to host this conference.” he underlined.