By Bakary Touray Jnr.
The Basse District Hospital in the Upper River Region (URR) has recently received medical items donated by a Basse-native called Aja Senlu Sey. The donated items, said to worth thousands of dalasis, included dressing materials, plain tubes, dermatology creams, scalpel blades, ringers lactate fluids, vitamin supplement capsules, needles and syringes and urinary catheters.
Reacting to Aja’s largesse, Mr. Ebrima Baldeh, Principal Nursing Officer at the hospital, expressed delight over the donation, as it would help in meeting the health needs of the people in the region. He noted that there are 22 health facilities in the region, most of whom all refer their patients to the Basse Hospital for service delivery.
Principal Nursing Officer indicated that these referrals heighten their workload, adding, “So, this kind of gesture will enable us render the healthcare needs of the people, because the government cannot do it all alone”.
Baldeh used the opportunity to implore on others to emulate the Madam Sey, reasoning that “such benevolence will guarantee effective healthcare delivery to the residents”.
He also commended Jah Oil {Company Ltd}; Bala Ranks-{the Basse Manneh Kunda-born Musician, real name Musa Kuyateh} and the Team; and Trust Bank Gambia Limited for their continued, unflinching support to the Basse District Hospital.
In handing over the donated items to the hospital officials, Chairman Foday Danjo of Basse Area Council, recalled that, this was the second time in 2019 that they have received such humanitarian support from the donor. The head of Council opined that the donations manifest Madam Sey’s interest in the welfare of her people and region.
According to Chairman Danjo, this is what is expected of every patriotic Gambia, as they (Gambians) should ask themselves what could they do for their country, and “not what our country can do for us”.
He maintained that, “This is a clear indication of what she {Aja Sey} can do for her country, in developing the country, as no development can take place without health”.
Councillor for Basse Ward, Mr. Sainey Kanuteh, in describing the gesture as a “magnanimous one”, intimated that the donation came at “the right time and will help boost” health service delivery to the residents in the region.