‘No Woman Shall Die Giving Life’

Also see... H.E. Sherriff lays first stone of an RFH training centr

• ‘No Woman Shall Die Giving Life’

“COMMEMORATION OF UN DAY 2012,” the headline said, announcing the intention of the United Nations (UN) System in The Gambia to join the rest of World to commemorate UN Day on Wednesday, 24^th October, 2012.

“No Woman Shall Die Giving Life” is the theme chosen by the UN System to commemorate the Day, which is a “global advocacy event that offers a unique opportunity for the global community to reflect on and take stock of the work of the United Nations.”  

In a brief statement, a Chairperson of UN Communications Group Sally Sadie Singhateh, said as part of events marking this Day, the United Nations System in collaboration with the Government of The Republic of The Gambia plans to undertake the following activities:

“Televised statements by the  UN Resident Coordinator; An open day at the University of The Gambia where presentations will be done on the work of UN, Maternal Health and Teenage pregnancy as well as exhibitions by the various UN agencies.”

There will also be a reception for stakeholders from 6 – 8 pm at the Kairaba Beach Hotel where the Resident Coordinator will read the UN Secretary General’s statement to be followed by a statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, she added.

The United Nations System in The Gambia avails itself of this opportunity to thank the Government and people of the Republic of The Gambia and all its partners for their fruitful contributions to promoting the work of the United Nations in the Gambia, the statement said.

• H.E. Sherriff lays first stone of an RFH training centre

On October 19, 2012, the acting UK High Commissioner to The Gambia, H.E. George Sherriff laid the first foundation stone to set in motion what is to become the new “Riders for Health Resource and Training Centre.”  

Friday’s event followed Riders for Health’s awarding of funding from the British High Commission earlier this year. 

The fund is meant to enable the construction of a training and resource centre at the charity’s base in Kanifing which will serve as a national centre of excellence in capacity building for drivers and riders across The Gambia.

“Riders for Health was founded by a British couple who realised that one of the key problems in providing an effective health care service was accessing those in need of care,” said a delighted George Sherriff, acting UK High Commissioner. “There was either poor access into rural areas or a lack of well maintained health care vehicles, leaving many people in need without access to proper health care services.”

Since 2002 Riders for Health has been working with the Gambian Ministry for Health to operate a nationwide vehicle management system for the Gambian health care fleet, H.E. Sherriff noted. Since then the work of Riders for Health has resulted in The Gambia becoming the first country in Africa to have complete coverage for its health care services. 

“That is a major achievement and should be celebrated,” the High Commissioner said.

The British High Commission provided approximately D250, 000 to Riders for Health to build this training and resource centre. 

The aim is that this will act as a centre for excellence in The Gambia, enhancing the delivery of Riders for Health’s core operations in providing an efficient and reliable health care service.  

“It will also be used to partner with local communities to champion road safety for the benefit of all,” added Sherriff who was very pleased to have been invited to preside over the laying of the foundation stone.

Background

The charity, Riders for Health, has been working in The Gambia since 1986 and currently manages 90 motorcycles, 36 ambulances and 27 trekking vehicles. 

“The facility currently under construction will act as a documentation centre for road traffic accidents helping build a knowledge base of accidents and accident prevention across the country,” the charity said.