Sarjo Cham, 28, a native of Jarra Soma, Lower River Region (LRR), is in dire need of help to undergo overseas medical treatment.

According to a report issued by the Medical Board of the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) and dated 14th August 2003, Sarjo Cham was diagnosed with chronic osteomyelitis, was operated on the 6th of June, 2002, and had sequestrectomy done on her.

The medical report further stated that presently, her right knee joint has been completely destroyed and its movement is limited.

Her orthopaedic surgeon has stated that she needs right knee replacement. “The board recommends for her to go for an [operation] overseas,” the report said.

Sarjo Cham said she has been struggling with this chronic disease for more than 14 years now. The 28-year old girl noted that the  disease has rendered her useless and if not controlled may even get worse.

Sarjo Cham said ‘“My life is at stake, because I have no assistance”. She appealed to the general public, the government and the private sector to come to her aid in order to enable her to regain her health. Persons wishing to help can call 9311943  or 7663882.

Reliable reports reaching the Daily Observer indicate that ex-Superintendent Manlafi Sanyang, a former head of Government Vehicles Control Unit at State House, died yesterday in the morning.

The circumstances surrounding the death of ex-Supt Sanyang could not be confirmed at the time of going to press last night.

However, sources close to the bereaved family said ex-Supt Sanyang was taken to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) when he was attacked by a brief illness at the State Central Prison, and was later pronounced dead at the country’s main referral hospital.

The deceased was convicted at the Banjul Magistrates Court on August 12, after he was found guilty of theft and abuse of office. He was then sentenced to a one year, 8 months jail term by Senior Magistrate Kayode Olajubutu.

The late Manlafi Sanyang hailed from Brikama-Ba in the Central River Region, where his body is expected to be laid to rest. The deceased was married and is survived by children.

Itti Dutbanjong, the ambassador of Thailand, on Tuesday, donated 5,000 malaria kits to the Royal Victorial Teaching Hospital (RVTH) at a presentation ceremony held at the RVTH conference hall in Banjul.

Receiving the donation, Dr Mariatou Jallow, chief medical director at RVTH, commended Ambassador Dutbanjong for the gesture and also expressed delight as these kits will go a long way towards helping them in their fight against malaria.

Dr Jallow expressed hope that the cooperation between Thailand and The Gambia will continue as well as their support to the RVTH.

For his part, Ambassador Dutbanjong said that Thailand is happy to be a friend of The Gambia and they always think of how to extend the cooperation between the two countries, noting that they will like to share their experiences with the Gambian people.

He added that they will join hands with the government of The Gambia to eradicate malaria.

Ambassador Dutbanjong assured the staff and the government of The Gambia of their fullest support.

Mrs Awa Kah John, principal accountant, RVTH, delivered the vote of thanks.

Mam Marie Jagne, chief matron, RVTH and other staff of the hospital attended the ceremony.

The Bobben family of Banjul and the Kombos, Adam Joof, Ndey Astou Njie and Jainaba Barry (wives of the deceased), the Senghore family (Kaliba), Aji Ida Jagne of Buckle Street, Alh. Abdoulie Senghore of Dippakunda, Ajie Saffie Bobb, Mbye Bobb, Omar Wally Joof, Alh.Mbye Chaw and Ebou Joof, regret to announce the death of their son, husband, father, brother and uncle,

Mr. Tamsir Bobb

of Bakoteh Lay-out which occurred on Sunday, 17th August, 2008 at the RVTH, Banjul and was laid to rest on Monday, 18th August 2008 at the Old Jeshwang Cemetery. This sad news is extended the entire staff of Veterinary Department and NADA of Abuko and all relatives and friends in The Gambia and abroad.

May his soul rest in perfect peace

Reports reaching the Daily Observer have revealed that the first ever conjoined twins in The Gambia, passed away on Thursday at the Intensive Care Unit of the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital.

The Siamese twins lived for only eight days after their birth. Their deaths came at a time when efforts were mounting to airlift them out of the country for specialised health care abroad.

The twins were laid to rest on the same day at the Jeshwang Cemetery.
However, the Daily Observer could not ascertain the exact cause of their untimely death. Dr Tamsir Mbowe, the director of Health and Medical Services, said the first twin died 18 hours after their naming ceremony. “The second twin died an hour later,” he explained.

One Ramatoulie Jallow, a resident of Serrekunda London Corner, gave birth to the twins on Wednesday, August 6, at the Gambia Family Planning Association Clinic in Kanifing.

The country’s first conjoined twins, who were admitted at the country’s main referral hospital, share a liver, according to an RVTH medical report transmitted by Dr Tamsir Mbowe, the director of Health and Medical Services.

A CT scan conducted at the RVTH indicated that the twins share a liver at the lower base. However, the medical report added that the Jallow twins have separate hearts, lungs and sternum, intestines, kidneys and genital organs. But the gall bladders could not visualised. There is a congenital cardiac defect in the right twin.

The report strongly recommended that the omphaloplagus conjoined twins require further investigation and assessment by a multidisciplinary paediatric surgical team with experience in this field. “This is not available in The Gambia,” the report stated.

Medical details

The twins were born at term by elective caesarean section at the Gambia Family Planning Clinic. An ultrasound scan done two days previously showed conjoined twins. The apgar scores were 10 at 1+5 minutes. Mother received antenatal care but no regular scans. There was no maternal illness or medications taken during pregnancy.  Birth weight was 6.4 kg.

“Mother is 28 yrs old and Fula tribe. The parents are non consaguineously married.  The father works as a petty trader. They have three children aged 7yrs, 4yrs, 1/2 yrs - who are all well. Since admission to the neonatal unit they were stabilized on oxygen and IV fluids,” the report stated.

On day three, the report continued, they developed fever and are currently being treated for neonatal sepsis. “The right sided twin has had persistent low oxygen saturations and respiratory distress since birth and we are suspecting a congenital cardiac malformation. At present, the right twin is in oxygen and is tolerating feeds of 30 ml 2 hourly and is afebrile. The left twin is in air and also tolerating feeds with lactogen and is afebrile at present,” the report added.

Examination

“Joined thorax to umbilicus, female twins facing each other.  No dysmorphism. Weight today is 5.5 kg. Right twin (1) - OFC 34.1 cm, pulse 160 RR 60.  Sp02 93% in oxygen, 85% in air.  Active precordium with soft grade 2 systolic murmur. Lung fields clear, No sc / ic recession. Abdomen soft and no masses/ organomegaly. Normal tone and movement of all limbs. Left twin (2) - OFC 34.0 cm, pulse 15 RR 58 SPO2 98% in air.  Normal heart sounds and lung fields.  Abdomen soft and no masses / organomegaly. Normal tone and movement of all limbs.”

Medications

Ceftriaxone iv 50 mg/kg BD - 2 days, Flucloxacillin iv 25 mg/kg, TDS - 2 days, Gentamicin iv 2.5 mg/kg bd - 4 days (Echocardiography: Not available at present).