By Momodou Jarju
The Ministry of Health has awarded Mansa Construction Company the contract for the total refurbishment of the Essau District Hospital worth over nine million dalasi.
This was disclosed by Gambian Health Minister Dr. Ahmad Lamin Samateh who presided at the handing over ceremony of the contract in Banjul. Dr. Samateh said work at the site is expected to last for seven months.
“The hospital has been struggling over the years to refer patients to Banjul,” he said; that patients have to cross the ferry making it difficult for them and as such, the hospital needs to be upgraded to ease referrals to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul.
Dr Samateh however advised the contractor to provide standard quality work at the site; that the main reason he went with his Senior Management Team to Essau was to inform him to adhere to the signed agreement; that four contracts have been signed with other contractors to upgrade NJAU Health Post in the Central River region, renovate a dialysis centre at Bansang General Hospital and upgrade Nyakoi Kerewan Health Post in Wuli in the Upper River Region.
Minister Samateh said the sites should be handed over to the contractors during the course of the week for them to commence work in earnest.
“Upon completion of the hospital we would come back to see whether the work is done accordingly, based on our signed agreement. We want things to be better in the country and the only way we can do this is to always provide quality service to the Gambian people,” he said. Dr. Samateh thanked the UNFPA for their support towards the construction of the operating theatre and the completion of one of the staff quarters at the hospital.
Matarr Jeng, the Lower Niumi Lawmaker, urged the contractor to ensure quality is observed in executing their work.
The Contractor of Mansa Construction Company assured that they will provide standard and quality service for the refurbishment of Essa District Hospital, as expected.
