Aminata Bah, a Sierra Leonean refugee, residing in The Gambia since 1995, has been suffering from sickle cell disease for over 15 years.

Speaking to the Daily Observer, Aminata Bah said the ailment has been tormenting her since she arrived in The Gambia. She explained that upon arrival in The Gambia, the United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was sponsoring her blood transfusion from 1995 up to 2009. She said they stopped sponsoring her in 2009 for the simple reason that they are not responsible for the welfare of any Sierra Leonean national in The Gambia.

In April 2009, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology under the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare issued her a medical report underscoring the need for her to under go an overseas blood transfusion.  "The patient is a sickler and the recurrent of an abnormal bleeding and severe bone pains affected her system. We therefore recommended for an overseas blood transfusion," the report stated.

Aminata recalled that she had an attack recently, which nearly  took her life and she is afraid that such a predicament can repeat itself. "I am vulnerable, living condition is far from favourable", she said, adding: "After losing all my parents during the civil war in Sierra Leone. Here in The Gambia, I am staying with my younger brother, the situation is aggravating, and there is a need for assistance." Doctors at RVTH have recommended an immediate overseas blood transfusion for her. She therefore appealed to the government of The Gambia and the private sector to come to her aid. Her contact numbers are: 9374000 and 7050111.