By: Haruna Kuyateh
Healthcare workers at Essau Health Region Directorate in the North Bank Region have lauded the government and Health Minister for their foresight in the construction of a state-of-the-art Jimfatma Jobe Health Centre at Chissay Majaw in Jokadou.
The construction of the newly constructed health facility started in September 2021 and the contractor was GAMBEL Construction Company.
Ebrima Baldeh, Regional Health Director for Essau Health Region underscored the government’s commitment to the attainment of universal health coverage.
He said the health center inaugurated by His Excellency President Adama Barrow on 23rd May under the theme – High quality and equitable essential health service for all toward universal health coverage has demonstrated the total commitment of the government toward the attainment of quality healthcare.
Director Baldeh said the health facility was funded by the government of the Gambia with support from the World Bank to the tune of D43 Million, and it is strategically located to cover a catchment area population of 14,654 and it will also cover more than 15 villages.
Director Baldeh asserted that the benefits of the health center are key and it will improve access to healthcare services, provision of quality and equitable healthcare with a reduction in referral to other health facilities, and financial burden, and also will save time.
He added that the health facility is closer to the people and accessible,
Mansour Jallow, Officer in Charge of Chissay Majaw Health Centre described the facility as important, noting that it is far from Kuntair Health Centre and about 47 km from the main referral hospital of Essau.
He noted with satisfaction the state-of-the-art equipment installed at the facility, citing standard structures, a delivery room fully airconditioned, and a digital scanning machine while pregnant women will no longer travel to Essau for scanning. Other equipment included but was not limited to a highly electronic lab, and a fully equipped ambulance to facilitate referral of patients to hospital.
The OIC disclosed that essential drugs with surgical and consumable materials are already supplied while noting that the management will ensure effective healthcare services are provided to patients.
However, being a new facility all efforts will be implored to set up a Catchment Area Committee of key stakeholders, to bring about effective community participation, he assured.
Among others, the facility created employment for 10 support staff to ensure smooth operation while standard and quality healthcare service will not be compromised.
Speaking to The Voice on Saturday in Kerr Jarga, Retired Chief Jimfatma Jobe hailed President Adama Barrow for the foresight and noted that family, friends, and residents of the areas.
Retired Chief Jobe urged beneficiaries and everyone to be steadfast, and loyal in serving their country with due diligence, noting that the construction and inauguration of this multimillion dalasi JimFatma Jobe Health Centre of Jokadou would contribute to providing quality healthcare services.
Modoulamin Jobe, the eldest son of the Retired Chief said the construction, naming, and inauguration of the facility after his father demonstrated a giant strife in strengthening the healthcare needs of the people.
