By Cherno M.S Jallow
The community of Sare Samba Tacko village commonly referred to as‘Ndikiri-kunda’ in the Upper Fulladu District, Central River Region (CRR) over the weekend benefited from a new state-of-the-art ambulance-thanks to a group of philanthropists based in the United Kingdom (UK).
Donated by Mr. Bulert Sener, family and friends, Turkish based in Hamburg, Germany, the ambulance is said to worth 12,000 euros.
In a similar move, the said community also received, through Fulladu Foundation, a modest donation of about One-hundred and fifty (150) set of furniture from one Hendrik Bebber, a journalist based in UK.
Hon. Sanna Jawara, National Assembly Member for Upper Fulladou, expressed appreciation to association for the gesture.The new ambulance, he went on, would go a long way in helping timely referrals at Bansang, further disclosing that plans are underway to address the poor road networks in the area.
The Upper Fulladu lawmaker further thanked the donors and the link Coordinator, Mr. Musa Jallow for making the donation a reality.
For his part, Chairman of Sare Samba Youth Development Association, Musa Jallow, hailed the donors for this magnificent gesture, as he said the significance of the new ambulance could not be over-emphasized, in view of the distance between the village and the main referral hospital in Bansang.
The Chairman had this sad story to tell: “This link came about when one of our guests who visited the said village went into labour and was referred to Bansang Hospital.
“Upon arrival at the hospital, she delivered but the child passed away due to the long distant they travelled to the hospital. I want to take this opportunity to advise the youths to maintain unity and hard work.”
Jallow used the moment to call on health officials to assist the community in keeping proper management of the new ambulance. And, as he put it, the ambulance is for every sick patient in the area.
Project Director of Fulladou Foundation, Mr. Hendrik Bebber, saluted the community of Sare Samba for the warm welcome it accorded them during the handing over of the Ambulance and the furniture.
Saying they had been supporting the village of Sare Samba over the years, Bebber reasoned that considering the condition of the women in getting access to hospital for delivery, they found it necessary to give support to the said community, in the area of education and health.
In welcoming the guests, Mansa Sabally, the village head of Sare Samba Tacko, thanked Allah for making their dream comes true. He commended the Link Coordinator, through Sare Samba Youth Development Association, for making the event possible.
Alkalo Sabally said the presentation of the ambulance was ‘long overdue’, acknowledging that women in the area have been faced with serious challenges, particularly in getting referrals to Bansang Hospital.
Therefore, the coming of this state-of-the-art ambulance would not only help the community of Sare Samba Tacko, but the entire Upper Fulladu District, according to the village head.
Sabally thanked the donors for the move, further assuring that the Ambulance would be used for its intended purpose.
Speaking for the village heads of the area, Mr. Demba Baldeh acclaimed the arrival of the ambulance as a “big boost” to the entire Upper Fulladu, given that it would now reduce the daily drudgery women normally face in assessing the hospital. But he challenged the people of the area to ensure proper care of the new ambulance so as to serve its purpose.
Baldeh recounted that for far too long, the people of the area had been complaining about ambulance coupled with the horrible road conditions. He also appealed to the relevant authorities to help the community with feeder roads to facilitate easy movement of people, especially patients during referrals. This, Baldeh asserted, would also help a great deal in the sustenance of the ambulance during the rainy season.
The presentation ceremony was attended by government officials, representatives from Regional Education and Health Directorates, and a cross-section of the community of Sare Samba Tacko, among others.
