By: Nyima Sillah
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), Dr. Mustapha Bittaye, has expressed optimism about the on-going renovations at the EFSTH, indicating that the works will significantly raise the standards of care once completed.
In an interview with The Voice on Thursday, Dr. Bittaye reported that the renovated areas have already started providing comfort and good hygiene for patients, emphasizing that the ultimate goal of the renovation is to ensure that every patient experiences the dignity they deserve when they enter the hospital.
“Patients seek dignity in their care, and it is essential for us to provide that,” he stated. “The renovations extend beyond just the physical infrastructure; they also include critical upgrades to our medical equipment. We are committed to acquiring as much modern equipment as possible. Once the renovations are finalized, all labs will be fully operational, including our CT scan facilities.” He further explained that: “The on-going renovations include enhancements to dialysis machines and water treatment plants, which involve substantial funding from the government.”
Dr. Bittaye mentioned that a new CT scan machine is expected to arrive on April 21st with advanced model features of 128 slices, representing a significant upgrade from the previous two-slice version.
“We are proactive in upgrading our facilities; we will not wait for the renovation to conclude before integrating new equipment. The installation of these vital technologies is already underway alongside the renovations. The upcoming CT scan, funded by the Global Fund, is valued at over a million dollars. Additionally, the World Bank has invested $3.2 million in lab equipment for healthcare facilities across the country, not just EFSTH,” he highlighted.
The CMD also shared that the renovation is approximately 70% complete, with over 100 million dalasi already allocated to various sectors of the hospital, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that medications are readily available for patients.
“Once the renovations are completed, we expect a significant reduction in the number of patients needing treatment overseas. We are already seeing progress in this area, particularly in orthopaedics. Previously, many patients travelled to Senegal for care but that is changing. We have recently performed our first cardiac stent procedure in The Gambia, eliminating the need for individuals to travel to Europe for such treatments. These advancements demonstrate our commitment to improving healthcare access and quality for our community,” he concluded.