Glasgow sends vital medical kit to The Gambia
GLASGOW hospitals have shown solidarity with nurses and doctors in The Gambia with a donation of lifesaving equipment. Staff nurse Mai Drammeh, originally from the African country and now a nurse with NHS 24 in Cardonald, appealed to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde for support.
Now 12 hospitals across the West African state have received lifesaving defibrillators, anaesthesia machines and ultra-sound equipment.
Mai, who qualified as a nurse four years ago after giving up her career in corporate business administration in London, said the donation was an expression of the solidarity shown by medical teams as the world marks International Nurses’ Day.
She said: “Having seen the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, I approached NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to help support Gambian hospitals to cope with the pandemic in whatever way possible.
“There are hospitals in The Gambia on the brink of collapsing.
“They are in dire need of help in any form or shape.
“The response I received was phenomenal.
“NHSGGC has donated lifesaving equipment and these machines have filled gaps in 12 hospitals across The Gambia and are making an impact already, improving delivery of quality care in hospitals.
“I have spoken to hospital administrators who have expressed their joy on receiving this equipment.”
NHSGGC donated equipment which was due for routine replacement, or an upgrade, but was still in good working order and deemed
surplus to requirements.
This includes 24 defibrillators, one portable defibrillator, 12 suction units, four anaesthesia machines with monitors, one ECG machine, a bladder ultrasound machine and a physiotherapy ultrasound therapy unit.
Ousman Ceesay, a senior nursing officer in charge of the operating theatre of the Kanifing General Hospital in Serrekunda, said: “The health care system in The Gambia is faced with severe shortages.
“Where I work, the anaesthetic
machine will be a life saver – currently we have one machine which works and another with a faulty ventilator.
“The donated items are earmarked for accident and emergency units and operating theatres and will be of huge benefit to patient safety and care.”
Ousman said that support of colleagues in Glasgow would not only improve health services across the country, but allow medical staff to further their knowledge and experience by using better technology.