Construction of Jattaba Community Clinic in Kiang West District, commenced in August of 2020 and on the 2nd of August this year, it was inaugurated by the Regional Health Director in Mansakonko, Mr. Bolong Jobarteh.
The facility is a community-led initiative with its construction being spearheaded by Jattaba Youth Development Association (JYDA).
The community initiative was sponsored mainly through a Go Fund Me Campaign that was launched by a German Lady, Xenia Hugel on behalf of the village and some local contributions/donations. Ms Hugel also shipped an assortment of medical equipment and materials to provide the much required working environment for the clinic. She is supported alongside by Hana Nitsche, Norbert Wettzig and the Mission of Hope in the financing of not only Clinic, but also the Jattaba Village water facility and the women horticultural garden.
“Construction of the facility started in mid last year and today, the same month as last year, we are inaugurating it,” President of Jattaba Youth Development Association, Mr. Landing B. Sanneh said at the inauguration.
Currently, the clinic is operating and attending to the health care needs of the clients, he added. The facility contains a Labour and delivery room, postnatal and antenatal wards, outpatient consultation/observation room, EPI office, infant welfare, an ANC and a pharmacy. It is expected to serve people on transit owing to its strategic location and several surrounding communities including NioroJattaba, Sankandi, Sandeng, Jallowkunda, Sara Biran, Dumbuto and Wudeba.
“Jattaba is a PHC village since in the 1980s. There is a VHW and a CBC, who are the first line of contacts for health matters in the village,” Sanneh said, adding that over the years, the Jattaba Youth Development Association (JYDA) deemed it necessary to improve the health response services in the community and surroundings by constructing a drug store to facilitate easy access to treatment.
With the recent increase in population and a changing health trend, the youth of the Community conceived the idea of the need to upgrade the PHC into a basic Community Health Centre. This is as a concern of the distant health facilities and means of transportation which usually pose challenges, leading to delay in accessing appropriate services.
Association President Sanneh believes that the brunt of these problems affect mostly pregnant women especially those in labor and children under five.
He agreed that although it’s a community-led initiative, it is still a health domain; and therefore the community of Jattaba would rely on the Regional Health Team and the Ministry of Health to provide the required support to ensure its smooth running and providing resources (personnel & drugs) at their disposal.
Sanneh expressed the community’s appreciation to Ms. Xenia Hugel, the main supporter of the project and the German People for leading the Go Fund Me Campaign, and also for finding time to attend the inauguration of the facility. He used the occasion to commend the Regional Health Directorate for the undiluted support it continues to provide for the operationalization of the clinic.
