By Yunus S Saliu
In its quest to host the 1st Banjul International Surgical Scientific Conference (BISSC) and a Surgical Outreach slated for the 26th and 27th of May 2023 in The Gambia, the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) Saturday held a donor’s breakfast at the Al Saraya Atlantic Hotel, Banjul.
Dr Ammar Al Jafari, the CMD and the chief host for the conference expressed delight over the upcoming BISSC saying it is going to be one of its kind event while welcoming the numerous donors to the gathering.
The CMD thanked the Ministry of Health for their support to the EFSTH while in extension thanked the Gambian First Lady and her Foundation for its support, noting that she also sent representatives to the donor’s breakfast.
He said the upcoming 1st BISSC is for the Gambians, it is the first time to host it in The Gambia, and prayed for the successful hosting of it coming 26th and 27th of May saying “If we don’t succeed in hosting it, it will be a big issue for the whole country.”
Speaking from his heart, he said hosting lots of guests in the country during this international conference there will be lots of presentations to increase the skills “of our doctors while we will at the same time do lots of operations and this will be a great achievement for us and the country. And this has been my dream for The Gambia since 2013 I resumed work in this country.”
He, therefore, implored all and sundry especially the donors, NGOs, governments, and everyone to support them for a successful hosting of the surgical scientific conference and a surgical outreach, “as we need to put the name of the Gambia in the map of conferences.”
Dr. Abubacarr Jah, chairman of the Local Organising Committee, thanked the CMD – Dr Jafari for his effort tirelessly working on seeing that the upcoming BISSC is held successfully in the Gambia.
He said the event should serve as a donor’s breakfast event where to gather only to donate money but also as a press conference, therefore, he thanked all the attendees and the press corps present for honoring their invitation and publicise it to the whole country.
He reiterated the importance of the conference and said it concerned the whole of Gambia and Gambians, especially since it is the first of its kind in the country
He noted that the medical profession is a discipline that you have to continue to learn to give your best to the people that you are serving and “the more the doctors learn, the more updated they are, and the better care people will get. Therefore, having a Banjul International conference would just serve that purpose by making us updated to give better care as we go along.”
Dr Jah, in his capacity as the chairman of the LOC, implored everyone, especially the philanthropists, NGOs, the business community, and the government among other donors to donate towards the realization of the conference to make the life of the people of The Gambia better.
Dr Cherno S Jallow, the fundraising chairman said they need resources and support to enable them to conduct this 1st Banjul International Surgical Scientific Conference (BISSC) and Surgical Outreach as an activity attached.
he stated that it is difficult to have money but the amount seeking is D4 million “and since it is a recurrent activity it will be appreciated to have more.”
Dr. Lamin Jaiteh among others also delivered a statement at the donor’s breakfast held to raise funds for the hosting of the scientific conference in the Gambia slated for the 26th and 27th of May 2023.
Mr. Kebba Sanneh – PRO EFSTH, Dr. Manneh, and Damian Duffy from Canada were the host of the pledge
Lamin Jaiteh represented the Minister of Health, while a series of doctors, health practitioners, NGOs representative, and donors attended the event.
