By Bakary Touray Jr.
As fears of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to creep in the minds of the globe, strengthening of precautionary measures have become an obligation on the people across the world to combat the killer disease.
The Gambia, like other nations, is not resting on her laurels in the efforts to contain and subsequently eliminate the disease. This is manifested by the hand washing tanks that have been stationed in public places such as hospitals, banks and schools, to enforce compliance with the preventive measures.
This reporter has visited some schools and the hospital in the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), to assess their level of compliance as per World Health Organization set out measures to prevent the deadly disease.
At Fajikunda Major Hospital, the reporter was directed by the medical officer to get clearance from the Regional Health Directorate for them to give updates on their compliance with the measures.
However, a water tank with sanitizers was found at the entrance of the health facility for use by visitors to the facility.
A visitor to the hospital told this medium that although people are not strictly complying with the protective measures, but the hospital has endeavored to provide the requisite tools for the enforcement of the measures.
He called for massive sensitization of the people, especially residents of the locality, for them to adhere to the COVID-19 preventive measures and implement them, opining the low compliance with the measures is due to their low level of awareness of the disease.
At Nurudin Islamic School in the same locality, the School Secretary and Supervisor, Rohey Manneh informed that currently, they have closed the school, as decreed by the President.
โWe have stationed two water containers with soap and sanitizers, so that people who are coming to the school can use it for their safety and prevent the spread of COVID-19,” stated Ms. Manneh.
At the GT Bank in Latrikunda Sabiji, this reporter found a security officer standing at the entrance in masks and gloves, giving customers hand sanitizers to apply before entering the bank for their transactions.
Visiting Bundung Maternal and Child Health Hospital, the officials took the reporter on a conducted tour of the facility, to assess the level compliance at the facility. The officials also told Mansa Banko Online that the facility is making efforts to contain the disease as it has already reached the country.
โWe have created six isolation rooms, put in place three hand washing stations and Personnel Protective Equipment (PPEs), as well as Rapid Response Team to deal with suspected cases,” the officials informed.
Saying they are also proactive on surveillance, the Bundung hospital authorities disclosed that any suspected case there is referred to the relevant quarantine sites for further check-ups, and if proved positive, the patient would be treated at the isolation sites.
However, this reporter didn’t see any hand washing “station” at Latrikunda Sabiji Market, despite the large population and busy nature of the market. But a handful of business people could be seen practicing individual measures to prevent themselves from catching this stubborn virus.
This reporter tried get the authorities at KMC’s on what the Municipality has for the market in preventing the spread of the disease, but was unsuccessful.
Meantime, this medium has learnt that the Council is making strenuously efforts to fumigate the 19 markets in the Municipality, among other preventive measures, geared towards protecting the public from the COVID-19.
