By: Binta Jaiteh
The Diaspora Club, a non-political, non-profit organization based in the United States, has announced its intention to sue the government of The Gambia through the Ministry of Health over the revocation of a project in Chamen Nianija, located in the Central River Region North.
The Ministry of Health recently sent a letter to the organization, stating the cancellation of clearance to build a maternity block at Chamen Health Center. The reason given, according to sources, was that the Ministry had secured grants from the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the National Social Protection Secretariat to fund new structures and renovate existing ones at the health center.
In a press conference at Zion Restaurant, the president of Diaspora Club, Jorjoh Samba Mbaye, expressed disappointment and frustration over the government’s actions, calling it a betrayal of its citizens.
“Our aim is to help our women who face numerous health challenges. We know the state of the health sector is very poor,” she stated.
Mbaye explained that the organization had previously inquired with the Ministry of Health about its requirements, adding that the Ministry requested the renovation of the children’s ward in Banjul, but failed to mention that the ward belonged to Standard Chartered Bank. Mbaye noted that after investing significant funds in the renovation, the project was revoked two years later.
She lamented that many people, particularly women during childbirth, are struggling with poor healthcare.
“How can two pregnant women deliver in the same bed? We are not a threat to the government; instead, we are here to assist them. Whoever is preventing us from building a maternity ward in Chamen to help the people will surely face consequences because we will fight back until the end,” Mbaye tearfully stated.
The organization’s spokesperson, Mam Busso Jack Bahoum, also expressed discontent, remarking on the distress of receiving a letter from the Ministry informing them of therevocation of the project after they had already laid the foundation stone.
“We want to highlight how upsetting it is to receive such news after investing such substantial funds,” she said.
Bahoum emphasized that the organization’s motivation to build a maternity block in Chamen stemmed from the challenges women face during childbirth.
When contacted for his perspective, the lawmaker for Nianija, Hon. Amadou Camara, confirmed that he had not been informed about the matter until he saw a WhatsApp message discussing it. He was already aware that a grant had been secured through the Social Protection Secretariat for the total renovation and additional structures for Chamen Health Center. Camara acknowledged that while the organization might not be political, their engagement as public figures made the situation inherently political.
“I am not against building a maternity ward in my constituency, but due process must be followed and the reasons for the permit’s revocation by the Ministry of Health must be taken into account,” Camara stated.
