By Ramatoulie Jawo
Gambia United Kingdom Forces Community (GUKFC) on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, donated medical Items worth over Two Hundred thousand dalasi (D222,614.37) to Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul.
Gambia United Kingdom Forces Community (GUKFC) is a charitable organization formed in June 2020 by Gambians who have served or are currently serving in His Majesty’s Armed Forces in the United Kingdom.
The organization aims to foster unity and community cohesion among members and Gambians in the wider His Majesty’s Forces community and to support, mentor, and inspire the development of others.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Director of Admin and Human Resources at the EFSTH, Malang Darboe, thanked the organization for their good gesture.
“We have seen recently Gambians in the diaspora are giving back to their own communities and this is highly welcome. We want to encourage everybody who is living outside the country to never mind how small it is. Any small thing donated to this hospital can make a big difference in the lives of the patients,” Mr. Darboe said.
Mr. Darboe added that any donation to the EFSTH is like donating to the entire country. He said the hospital served the length and breadth of the country.
Mr. Darboe Further assured the Organization of the utilization of the donated items to reach the targeted population.
Head of the Department at the Pediatrics ward Prof. Obidike, said Gambians in the diaspora should support their home not only in material aspect but also in human resources wise.
On his part, the GUKFC Program Officer Lamin Darboe expressed his delight to present the medical equipment to the EFSTH
“We intend to utilize our experts for national development. Because this is the least we can do for our country. That is why the members took this initiative upon themselves. Last year we donated some items to the Serekunda General Hospital and other medical facilities in the country. That is why this year we intended to do more, so we bring more items,” Mr. Darboe said.
Bakary Sonko also a member of GUKFC said the donation will be an annual event because they are ready to give back to their own country.
“We are not promising too much but it will be an annual thing. Every year, we will come to the Gambia to work with different sectors. So we are not only going to stop at donating medical items but we will be also looking at the Gambia Police Force, Gambia Armed Forces, and other sectors we can work with. Because there is a lot we think that we can give back to our own country, “he said.
The Deputy Head of Mission Gambia High Commission in London, Suntou Touray, advised Gambians in the diaspora to emulate GUKFC by giving back to their community.
“My advice to the Institutions as well as recommendations is that let us know things that are lacking. Let Gambians know about the things that are lacking and how they can help. Let them know In terms of Maternity, what are your problems what can they do? So they can help individuals or as a collective,” Mr. Touray stated.
The presentation ceremony took place on Tuesday at EFSTH.