By: Nyima Sillah
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), Dr. Ammar Al Jafari, has said EFSTH currently has only one fully functional ambulance, explaining that the hospital has been experiencing issues with ambulances for over twoyears now.
“Since I took over this place, ambulances have always been my biggest constraint. I have only two ambulances. One of the ambulances operates fully but the other one is second-hand. When I have an emergency, I call Kanifing or private clinics to help me because I never want to risk the life of my patients,” CMD Jafari told The Voice in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.
The CMD stated that almost five clinics, including Tanka Tanka, Ndemban, Polyclinic and the Sanitarium depend on EFSTH, adding that this pressure on the hospital requires good functional ambulances as an emergency can occur at any time from any of the above-mentioned clinics.
“I wrote to the Ministry of Health several times but it makes no difference. I am helpless and I don’t have the support to buy an ambulance. I don’t know who will help the hospital to have ambulances. But if the situation doesn’t change, I will have to volunteer and buy two functional ambulances for the hospital because my patients and their well-being are my priority,” the CMD asserted. “I need, at least, five functional ambulances in EFSTH,” he added.
Meanwhile, he described the progress of EFSTH’s renovation as “very slow”, saying the contractors always promise that the project will be executed in a fortnight’s time.
He also decried that Ndemban Clinic is congested with some people forced to sleep on the floor.
“I have always been pleading with them to fast-trackthe construction. Ndemban is full to capacity and we are still accepting patients. This is why I want the Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit to be completedas quickly as possible for some of these patients to be accommodated,” the CMD said in a tone of frustration.CMD Jafari explained that the A&E unit would be of great support to the patients, saying the unit is his priority and that he always spurs contractors to prioritize the renovation of the unit and hand it to overhim so he can decongest Ndemban.