It seems the good news never ends.
Folks,
Under the auspices of the Health for Peace Initiative (HFPI) on the
prevention of blindness, The Gambia has been selected to house the first
and only Eye Care Centre in the usb-region. This project valued at millions
of pounds, is the single biggest project ever sponsored by Sight Savers
International anywhere in the world, targeting a population of over 18
million.
The choice of The Gambia, explains Sight Savers International's
representatives, is based on The Gambia Government's demonstrated
commitment to Eye Care Initiatives and programmes.
Earlier, His Exellency President Jammeh handed over three double cabin Ford
Ramger Pick-ups for the HFPI project, to ambassadors of the member
countries for onward delivery. Two cataract camp mini busses were also made
available for the 'Sight By Wheels' component. These mini busses are to be
used for delivering door-to-door eye care services in remote and distant
locations.
This came up during a meeting of health ministers of member countries in
Banjul, in August 2001, to discuss proposals for launching the Health for
Peace Initiative (HFPI) prevention of Blindness component. The resolutions
of that meeting are captured in a document that mapped a clear course of
action now known to havegiven birth to this resourceful Eye Care Centre for
both referrals and training of Ophthalmologic technicians.
The sponsors, Sight Savers International, are building this magnificient
1.4 million pound Sterling facility (not Dalasis or Dollars) within the
Sere Kunda Hospital under constrcution. Remember this when criticising this
latest hospital.
The HFPI project is divided into the following areas:
1. Regional Eye Care Centre construction.
2. Regional Eye Care Centre running costs.
3. Training to Diploma in Ophthalmic nursing and advanced Diploma in
Ophthalmology (DON/ADON) level for Gambians.
4. Programme Support cost.
5. DON/ADON support Package
6. District support
7. Sight By Wheels.
Formerly, students were sent to Malawi for such courses but with the advent
of the DON/ADON courses, students are now pursuing courses run by The
University of The Gambia.
The able Architectural consultants, Masterplan (a local firm, in
association with Sir Fredrick Snow Internation of UK, won the offer after a
cmpetetive bidding process. The company was represented by Mr. Zackaria
Sillah, a chartered architect and a member of the prestigious Royal
Institute of British architects (RIBA). Mr. Sillah, a graduate of Oxford
university set up his company last year after several years of practice in
the UK. A secondary Eye Unit will also be constructed by them in Soma.
In another development, transformation of The Banjul Royal Victoria
hospital into a teaching hospital is progressing nicely. Come October,
Gambia's first 15 University of The Gambia educated doctors will begin
their practicals there under the supervision of professional surgeons and
doctors.
I am surprised everyone seems to mute about the turmoil and internal
wranglings within the UDP. Does the opposition want to wish it away or just
didn't know? I am sure you will soon get the details. If not, I will put on
the list when time permits.
Have a good day, Gassa.
PS: When time permits, I'll give you news of the latest companies to start
operations in our country.
--
There is a time in the life of every problem when it is big enough to see,
yet small enough to solve (Mike Leavitt)
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