Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) Thursday handed over the Paediatric Ward of the Brikama Major Health Centre it renovated at the cost of D0.5 million to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare at a ceremony held in Brikama.

Speaking at the occasion, Femi Omotoso, the managing director of GTBank, explained that the bank is marking 10 years of its existence in The Gambia and came up with series of activities that started last Monday. He said that it is their policy is to give back to the society that has helped them over the years.

According to the GTB boss, part of the gains that were made from the country is what they are giving back to society. He noted that they have supported many laudable and deserving initiatives in the country notably in the health, sports and environment sectors.“We decided as to how do we impress the society and what came to our mind is the fact that health is wealth and bedrock for development,” he added.

He further noted that for a country to develop, it has to have very healthy people.

Omotosho said that what they have done will further support government in its strides in the health sector as well as provide the health workers with the conducive environment to execute their duties.

For her part, Fatim Badjie, the minister of Health and Social Welfare recalled that her Ministry was approached on ways in which it can intervene in the health sector, and the Ministry subsequently identified Brikama Major Health Centre. Minister Badjie described Brikama as a very special and strategic area in the health sector as it is densely populated. She also informed the gathering that the closest hospital to the whole of West Coast Region is Bwaim, which makes Brikama Major Health Centre so vital for the people.

She stressed that health is the business of everyone, and that intervening in the health sector is one of the ways of showing a major gesture to humanity. “The government cannot do it all and we need the support of true partners to support us,” she added.She on behalf of her Ministry thanked GTBank for the gesture and congratulated them on their 10th anniversary in The Gambia.

Also speaking at the occasion, Ndey T. Ceesay-Touray of Brikama Health Centre noted that Brikama is one of the most densely populated towns in The Gambia. According to her, the demand for services is always high in the rainy season thus, the increase in the number of bed capacity will go a long way in improving service delivery and creating conducive working environment for the staff. She disclosed that the areas refurbished by the bank are the pediatric ward, as well as the male and female wards. She finally assured that they will take good care of the building.

Fatoumatta Sanyang, the deputy governor of West Coast Region, who deputized the governor of the region said that health is fundamental, as without it, there can be no development. She also described the bank’s intervention as a giant move for the Gambian people.