The presentation ceremony was held at the Regional Health Team hall in Essau. On Saturday 4th February 2023, the Cultural Group staged a fundraising event in collaboration with staff of the Hospital at Essau community nursery school widely known as Jackson. The proceeds accrued from this fundraiser would be used to erect a waiting center for patient’s escort at the hospital. The group has already bought sand, gravel and cement from the event’s proceeds for the construction of the waiting center.
Representing the Chief of Lower Nuimi, Alagie Bambo Sonko, pledged his support towards the initiative. The group had also met various stakeholders to seek assistance from them to ensure the initiative is realized.
Yankuba Marong, Manager of the Cultural Group, said ‘if patient escorts do not have a waiting center’ and continue to sleep in the open, they may be exposed to hazards or even become patients.
This, according to Marong, is the reason why they came up with the initiative, adding that the center would also ensure these escorts do not interrupt or interfere with doctors and nurses during work hours.
He commended the hospital staff for their high sense of professionalism especially to the welfare of patients.
He thus called on other institutions within the region to render helping hands towards this worthy cause.
“I expect donations for North Bank Region Governor’s office, Kerewan Area Council and ADWAC, Banks in Barra and other alkalolu within the region.”
Receiving the items, Sira Conteh, Officer-In-Charge at the Essau District Hospital, spoke highly of the donated materials, saying those bed sheets would go a long way in helping them at their various wards.
She revealed that they had previously written to various institutions without success and therefore thanked the Cultural Group for responding to their call.
Alieu Bah, a nurse at the hospital’s labour unit, also commended the group and called on others to emulate the cultural group.
An assessment done indicates that two hundred and seventy-one thousand dalasis will be needed for the construction of the patient escort waiting center.
Thus, the presentation graced by alkalolu, Village Development Committee members, who all pledged to support the hospital.
