By Mariama Jallow
The Brikama Area Council has recently donated sanitary materials to the Regional Health Directorate, Western Health II Region at a ceremony held at the council’s grounds.
The items worth over D70,000 include, inter alia, hand washing detergent, hand washing pumps and hand sanitizers.
Speaking during handing over ceremony, Chairman of Brikama Area Council (BAC) Mr. Sheriffo Sonko disclosed that the support came through a request made by the regional health directorate after inspecting border points, in order to get firsthand information, and know the constraints faced by the health workers and Red Cross volunteers.
The BAC head underscored the importance his Council attaches to preventing tax-payers against COVID 19.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BAC, Mr. Modou Jonga, explained the move is meant to help in the fight against the Coronavirus in the country. He promised that an additional 80 litres of fuel would be provided for the Regional Health Directorate to strengthen surveillance measures. Jonga, however, challenged Gambians to adhere to expert advice.
Regional Health Director, Western Health II Region, Ngally Aboubacar Sambou underlined that, effective response hinges on getting the right people with the right skills, the right tools and the right equipment at the right place, at the right time.
He also said his office is convinced that the BAC is aware of the principal that human suffering must be addressed wherever it is found, and also aware that the purpose of humanitarian action is to protect life and health and ensure respect to human beings.
Director Sambou posited that more surveillance officers are needed for 24 hours coverage of the established points of entry; more handwashing facilities for each public and private health facility, among others things.
Also speaking was the Principal Public Health Officer, Kura Joof, who commended Council for the move.
Stressing that sensitization on the global pandemic “is crucial in containing the outbreak,” Joof challenged people to maintain “basic hygiene” habits.
