By Yunus S Saliu
As part of its efforts to provide accessible health care, one among its five components, the City Link Ostend Banjul Project Friday, 3rd September, 2021 donated medical items worth over D800,000.00 to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul City.
The donated items as received by official of the hospital included 1drum of hydrogen 50 percent; 1 drum of glycenol; 10 litters plastic bottles; 3 alcohol meter; hard plastic tanks 80 to 100L; metal paddles; measuring cylinder 500ml among others.
Speaking at the handing over event held at the premises of EFSTH, Mustapha Batchilly, Chief Executive Officer of Banjul City Council stated that making the hand sanitiser localyl has made the donation more important hence it is not been done in The Gambia since the discovery of the first case of the Coronavirus pandemic in March 2020 to date.
On behalf of the Lord Mayor of Banjul and Councilors and staff of the BCC, he said they are proud to be counted among those helping the hospital to come up with means of developing or producing its sanitation kits.
Mam Lai Jassey, Project Coordinator of City Link Ostend Banjul Project said the donation was parts of the initiative started by the project sometimes last year and he’s glad to note that it is achieved successfully through the partners and the health consultant of the City Link Ostend Banjul Project.
He expressed gladness that the management of the hospital did appreciate it. He therefore thanked their counterparts Ostend City Council and funding partner, European Union for the supports.
Peter Correa, head Human Resource Officer at EFSTH applauded City Link Ostend Banjul Project for the donation saying it was not the first time the project will donate items to the hospital “but this one is a big different because amidst of the pandemic, the most fundamental thing is prevention.”
He noted that the donated materials will help EFSTH to start producing and making its own hand sanitisers. “Looking at the volume of numbers of staff, patient, in this hospital there is always a high demands for sanitisers,” while he added that the gesture is really appreciated.
Peter Corea went on that Covid-19 is a challenging period not only to the whole country but particular to the hospital.
“We are very much appreciative of this and we would like to assure you that this material is first of its kinds and we would like to encourage others to emulate City Link Ostend Banjul Project. Because it is never enough as no one know when the Coronavirus will disappear from earth,” he added.
Ms Annette Camara, Communication Officer of City Link Ostend Banjul Project said accessing good health care is crucial while noting that since beginning of the Belgium and Gambian cities collaboration, health care is being one of the most sensitive topics in their exchanges.
Ms Aji Fatou Camara Janneh, one of the Senior nursing officers, on behalf of the Matron thanked City Link Ostend Banjul Project and described the donation as timely especially that it is the first time the hospital will be making its own sanitiser.
Ms Phebian Ina Grant-Sagnia, health consultant for City Link Ostend Banjul Project described it as a good initiative initiated by the Banjul City Council through the City Link Ostend Banjul Project.
Providing the medical materials to the hospital, she said, will not be a waste as it is known to the health workers that infection cannot be controlled but can be managed through this type of products which can protect bacterial.
Ms Grant-Sagnia expressed that what the council has initiated is going to be a continuous thing, while appealed to everybody not to misuse or abuse it once it is provide.
She therefore encouraged everyone to adhere to the Covid-19 protecting measure which include frequent washing of hands under running water; regular use of hand sanitiser and facemask; keeping social distancing and avoid large crowd as much as possibly can.