MC Cham Jr, Business Councilor KMC
By MC Cham Jr
I woke up to a letter making rounds on social media which sparked a huge debate amongst concerned citizens and I was jaw dropped after reading the content of the letter at the same time saddened.
The content of the letter saddened me because it was a blatant acknowledgment and confirmation that our healthcare system is in complete shambles. Infact, I will respectfully say we have mere buildings but the hospitals.
I was reminded of a video where Adama Barrow was passionately speaking at a rally and spoke of how great our healthcare system is. He went on to say people from neighboring countries do come to the Gambia to seek medical services. He spoke of how the introduction of some so-called insurance cards where to bring about free healthcare services for all including dispensation of medicines at the pharmacies. These claims were have also seen his ministers reinforced them on several platforms and propelled that narrative.
Now, if Adama Barrow’s claims are anything to go by, why is there a need to send his mother to Senegal for medical checkup?
Wasn’t any of the well equipped hospitals according to Adama Barrow, equipped enough to treat this same mother of Adama Barrow?
Aren’t the medical insurance cards issued by the state supposedly to avail citizens free medication not extended to Adama Barrow’s mother?
Can we conclude that the healthcare system in the country is too sophisticated to cater for the ailment of Adama Barrow’s mother?
Despite this corrupt and immoral action by the office of the president, I have seen little protest against it and few defending it. I am the least surprised by those few individuals defending this immoral action and especially it is not anything to do with Mayor Talib Bensouda. What else would they do to survive if there is nothing to defend?
How soon do we forget people. It wasn’t long when an issue of per diem payment of about D45,000 paid to staff for a trip to Senegal was raised at the ongoing local government commission. Though the payments to the staff of council for that Senegal trip was legal and inline with best practice. All hell broke loose. There was a lot of backlash and criticism towards mayor Bensoud. Please remember the payments were very legal.
Now that begs the questions, what should taxpayers foot the bill of Adama Barrow’s mother’s medical treatment? Who else are we (taxpayers) paying for also? In light of this new damning revelation, I challenge the minister of finance to come out and provide answers to the citizens.
I believe with this letter from the office of the president, it is clear that non of you have the moral authority to question mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda on legal mandated transactions and or activities at the council.
Let me offer a free advice to Adama Barrow and his herd of opportunists.
Instead of looking at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye, rather pay attention to the plank in your own eye.
If our leaders cannot trust Gambian hospitals with their own lives and the lives of their families, they have no right to expect Gambians to do so. This is as a shocking as it’s criminal and unacceptable.
Until they are ready to invest in and use the same system they manage, they cannot claim to serve the people.
Hon Cllr Mc cham jnr