MRC Gambia sets in motion new clinic at Banjulinding Health Centre

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By FATOUMATTA SAIDYKHAN

The Medical Research Council Gambia, MRCG at LSHTM on Tuesday inaugurates their project site building at Banjulinding Health Center.

The officer in-charge of Banjulinding Health Centre, Haddy Badjie said MRCG is working hand in glove with the Ministry of Health to ensure good health care services are delivered to Gambians.

She said that all MRCG projects are approved by The Gambia Government and MRC joint ethics committee.

Therefore, she urged mothers to register their children in future projects, describing MRC as a vital role player in Africa and the world.

“Some of the vaccines our children are receiving at the Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) clinic are been investigated by the MRC projects unit and licensed by the WHO,” Mrs. Badjie said.

The UNICEF Representative at the launching, Dr. Mariama Janneh, said her institution has supported the Ministry of Health in terms of service delivery.

She added that the recently concluded Polio Vaccine – Novel Oral (NOPV) campaigns and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns made significant impact to increase uptake of the vaccines with the NOPV coverage rate of 85% and 105% for round one and two respectively.

She rated the COVID-19 vaccination dose from 13.7% to 18.5%. She also encouraged their partners and the Government to reinforce the community engagement activities with the inclusion and participation of children, adolescents, youth and other community members.

Dr. Alasana Darboe who represents the MRC Unit The Gambia, said that their first work at the unit was two years ago and the study was based on liver and tuberculosis, noting that the project is still undergoing and children who are born can take the BCG vaccines within two days to protect them from other diseases.

Professor Assan Jaye of MRC Gambia, also disclosed that the building is instituted for clinical trials as the ones in Brikama, Fajikunda, Sukutu and Serre Kunda General Hospitals.

“It is just to complement government’s efforts to strengthen health care system in this country.

The MRC cannot work alone but needs the help of the Ministry of Health,” Professor Assan Jaye stated.

He added: “MRC will be celebrating 75 years of existence in the country.”

Dr. Momodou Nyassi, representing the Director of the Health Services on his part said, MRC Gambian has been contributing a lot towards the health care system for many years and their contributions cannot be underestimated.

He noted that during COVID-19, MRC was one of the partners who helped in the fight against the deadly virus and always answered to their calls when needed.

“There is a misinformation concerning the MRC and their work but people need to know the work of MRC to make an informed choice.

Nyassi felicitated the MRC for the support as Banjulinding is not the only facility they have their project sites but Fajikunda, Brikama, Jammeh Foundation and other facilities.