In his opening remarks at the ceremony, Mr. Baboucarr Ngum, PRO spoke at length on the importance of the training for RVTH security personnel. He stated that the training will make their job easier. He further asserted that the role of security personnel is to protect the lives and property of and also control visitors to the hospital. He said that this creates an environment conducive to the smooth operation of the hospital and makes the work of doctors and nurses easier.

He urged the security personnel to do their work properly and apply the skills they had learned during the training.

For her part, the Chief Medical Director of the RVTH, Dr. Mariatou Jallow, commended the authorities for their initiative in organising the training, adding that it will go a long way towards addressing the needs of the RVTH. She advised them to always apply their skills and appealed to the authorities to continue with training of this kind.

The Police Commissioner, Yaya Fadera, on behalf of the IGP, urged the security personnel to be tactful, intelligent and smart enough to execute their duties. He added that approach is very important and that a uniform approach must be taken to all visitors.

The Chief of Security Abdoulie Danso, in his vote of thanks, commended the authorities for their initiative and assured them on behalf of the security service at the RVTH that they will live up to expectations.

In an further example of their support to the education and health sectors in The Gambia, the Seventh Day-Adventist Church in The Gambia recently donated medical books worth over 20,000 US dollars to the University of The Gambia School of Medicine.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mr. Emmanuel P. Smith, the Director of the Seventh-Day Adventist Mission in The Gambia stated that the donation is in fulfillment of his promise to President Jammeh who, during his visit to the US, made a stop over visit to the Seventh-Day Advantist headquaters in Maryland.

 “In response to the president calling, the Seventh-Day Adventist’s have sent over 500 boxes of medical books to the school of medicine. The church is going to be sending medical professional doctors to the school of medicine to help train doctors, physicians and nurses in the field of medical work,” he said.

In receiving the items, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Malick Njie, expressed gratitude to the mission for their “noble gesture”. He added that the gesture will go a long way in helping to raise the level of education and health in the country and promised to use the books for their intended purpose.

 Dr. Mariatou Jallow, Chief Medical Director at the RVTH, commended the mission for the laudable gesture and promised to put the donated items to good use. She also said that they are elated and moved by the gesture, adding, “this could not have come at a better time as health is my first priority.”   

For his part, Dr. Ousman Nyan Head of Department School of Medicine at the University of The Gambia, also thanked the mission for the laudable gesture in the development of the health and education sectors in The Gambia. He noted that medicine is about the whole human being, which is teaching and learning. He also promised that the items will be put to good use even those in the hospital he concluded.

Other speakers included the Councilor of Ebo town Jeshwang ward Modou Lamin Badjie.