By: Fatou Krubally
The Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) and partners Tuesday marked the one-year anniversary of a renovated paediatric surgery ward, highlighting major improvements in child healthcare delivery and surgical outcomes.
The event brought together senior officials including the Chief Medical Director of EFSTH, Dr Mustapha Bittaye, who praised the sustained partnership that has strengthened service delivery within the hospital.
He described the development as a clear example of how collaboration between hospital leadership and private partners can transform patient care.
In her remarks, the Chief Matron of EFSTH, Horeja Saine, expressed deep appreciation to staff of the paediatric surgical unit, noting that their commitment had been central to maintaining standards since the renovation.
She emphasized that beyond infrastructure, it is the dedication of healthcare workers that ensures quality care for children.
An overview of paediatric surgery at EFSTH was presented by Dr Alagie Baldeh, who reflected on the establishment of the unit in 2021 and its rapid growth since then. He highlighted that the introduction of dedicated paediatric surgical services has significantly reduced the need for patients to seek treatment abroad, while also improving access to complex surgical care locally.
The Head of Surgery, Dr Lamin BA Jaiteh, commended the evolution of the unit, recalling the earlier challenges when paediatric cases were managed alongside adult surgical services. He noted that the arrival of specialist paediatric surgeons marked a turning point, enabling more specialized and efficient care for children.
The Executive Director of the Cornerstone Foundation, Oley Faal Sanyang, reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to supporting the unit beyond infrastructure development. He noted that continued support, including communication and operational assistance, reflects a long-term partnership aimed at improving child health outcomes.
Throughout the ceremony, speakers also recognized the contribution of donors and partners who supported the renovation and ongoing maintenance of the ward, widely referred to as a model of modern paediatric care within the hospital.
Since its establishment, the paediatric surgical unit has recorded over 2,000 surgeries, with admissions steadily increasing following improvements in facilities and care standards.
The ceremony concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders to further strengthen paediatric surgical services, expand training opportunities, and improve critical care infrastructure for children across The Gambia.
