As Philanthropist Supports Hospital’s Surgical Interventions
By: Binta Jaiteh
Successful businessman and philanthropist Alhaji Salifu Kutubo Jaiteh has described the labour department of the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital as crucial in pre-natal and post-natal care.
The renowned philanthropist made this acknowledgement at EFSTH on Wednesday as he donated an inverter and six heavy-duty batteries to the labour department of the country’s main referral hospital.
“This is a very important and crucial unit [labour department] as it offers care to mothers, who give birth to new lives that can attain any level of accomplishments in this country and the world over,” emphasized Jaiteh, who is also the Cyprus consular to The Gambia.
The successful businessman, philanthropist and diplomat re-emphasized that supporting healthcare institutions should be everybody’s business.
“Anyone who supports a worthy cause either financially or otherwise is doing it for himself/herself. I am making this donation for myself and my family. I derive huge pleasure from philanthropy,” stated Jaiteh.
He thanked the head of the labour department Dr. Abdoulie Keita for enabling him to donate to EFSTH.
He then apologized for the delay in delivering the assistance which, he pointed out, was due to the 500% increase in cement levy.
“The delay in handing over the donated items was due to the new cement levy, which seriously impacted our business,” stated Jaiteh.
For his part, the Head of EFSTH Labour Ward, Dr. Abdoulie Keita, described the labour department as the apex care department for women during and after pregnancy.
“From Kartong to Koina, pregnant women are brought here and even Senegal is coming. We have made achievements but we have challenges. The labour department was built in the 1970s and the structure remains the same. The population has increased needs have also increased. We had a problem with electricity supply,” he pointed out.
He stated that with the donated items, power outage issue at the labour department will be a thing of the past.
Dr. Keita urged wealthy Gambians to support the healthcare system.
The maternity theatre-in-charge Balogun O. Selimat said: “We want to say Thank you for your generosity. We want to thank you for your contribution to national development.”
