A
set of medical equipment obtained by the Westfield Clinic through a Japanese
government grant are already making an impact, the staff at the Clinic said on
Tuesday.
They
said the equipment, a microscope, a HBA1C meter for testing blood sugar, a full
blood count analyser, a biochemistry analyser, and an electrolyte analyser, are
helping nurses and doctors to conduct “quick and easy on-the-spot testing.”
The
Clinic also acquired “a robust portable” ultrasound scanner that can be used at
the bedside and a new 100kva standby generator from a 73, 314 Euros (about 3,
500, 000 Dalasi) – under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects
funded by the Government of Japan.
Mr.
Sheriff Tambadou, chairperson Board of Trustees Westfield Clinic, said the equipment
“will help us [better] diagnose emergencies quickly and monitor patients with
chronic illnesses, especially diabetes and hypertension.”
He
said: “We have seen the difference the equipment is making to our practice. This
grant will forever remain a milestone in the history of the clinic and
reinforces the impact of what can be achieved by working together.
“An
8-year old child was brought to the Clinic in a coma, and after conducting some
tests… we were able to quickly diagnose that she had diabetes ketoacidosis, a
serious complication of diabetes mellitus.
“We
started treatment and again the laboratory equipment was very useful as we had
to do blood tests every 2 to 4 hours. In this way we were able to monitor her
progress closely throughout her illness. She later made a full recovery.”
 |
| Mr. Hideya Sato, first secretary Embassy of Japan in Senegal (Photo Credit: MSJoof/TNBES/Oct. 2016) |
New strategy on global
health
Mr.
Hideya Sato, first secretary Embassy of Japan in Senegal, who presided over the
inauguration ceremony, said the grant project is part of Japan’s new
strategy on global health diplomacy, which represents its development
cooperation initiative in the health sector.
He
said this [Westfield Clinic] cooperation enables the clinic to provide a range
of tests for diagnostic and monitoring of non-communicable diseases for over
300, 000 people in the Kanifing Municipality.
“It
is a great pleasure for Japan to support for improving morbidity and mortality
rates,” he said. “The Government of Japan has also contributed to the
development of the health sector in The Gambia, in order to improve the living
conditions of the populations.”
In
2015, Japan launched the project of “Support to National Ebola Prevention and Preparedness
in The Gambia” which is planned and implemented by the UNDP through the
Japanese financial contribution amounting 1, 600, 000 US Dollars.
In
addition to this, Mr. Sato said the Japanese Embassy offered 78, 000 dollars to
the Ministry of Health and [Social] Welfare for installing the 3 thermography
equipments at the Banjul International Airport.
Speaking
earlier, Dr. Ayo Palmer, medical director Westfield Clinic, said the specific
objective of the grant is to strengthen diagnostic services to improve curative
and preventive healthcare.
“The anlysers run several tests together on a
single strip without using liquid reagents. This means that results can be
quickly obtained,” Dr. Palmer said.
 |
| Mr. Sheriff Tambadou, chairperson Board of Trustees Westfield Clinic, flanked by Mr. Hatib Janneh, a board member of the Clinic and Mr. Sato, speaks at the inauguration ((Photo Credit: MSJoof/TNBES/Oct. 2016) |
Directly benefit
local communities
On
Wednesday, Mr. Sato presided over celebrations of the completion of “The Rehabilitation
and Construction of ABC Learning Centre” implemented by A Better Chance
Learning Center.
The
organisation received 74, 571 Euros (about 3, 570, 000 Dalasi). According to a
press statement, this cooperation will enable the school to provide a safe
learning environment for its students, and to receive over 50 additional
students.
Mr.
Sato said the two implemented projects in health and education will contribute
to the enhancement of the Gambian peoples’ welfare and to the achievement of
further development of the country.
The
Asian country’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects supports
local non-profit organisations to implement small-scale projects that directly
benefit local communities and contribute to the socio-economic development of
The Gambia.
Written by Modou S. Joof
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