By: Fatou Krubally
The Paediatric Surgery Unit at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital has recorded a total of 2,253 surgical operations since its establishment in December 2021, an official revealed.
This has marked what health officials describe as a major milestone in specialised child healthcare delivery in The Gambia.
The figure was disclosed by Dr Alagie Baldeh during the one-year anniversary celebration of the renovated unit held at EFSTH in Banjul on Tuesday.
According to him, the introduction of paediatric surgery in 2021 marked a turning point, as all child-related surgical cases were previously managed by general surgeons. He acknowledged their earlier role, noting that despite limited specialization, they handled cases effectively before the creation of the dedicated unit.
Dr Baldeh said the unit, which began operations with limited staff and no resident specialists, has since expanded its capacity and impact. He revealed that alongside the 2,253 surgeries conducted over the period, the facility has also recorded significant growth in admissions following its upgrade.
He compared earlier and current performance, noting that admissions increased from 783 cases in the earlier setup to 1,075 within a year after the renovation of the ward.
The unit now manages complex surgical cases locally, reducing the need for referrals abroad. Procedures such as correction of congenital anomalies and emergency paediatric surgeries are among those successfully handled.
Despite the progress, Dr Baldeh highlighted the need for a dedicated paediatric theatre, improved intensive care facilities, and training programmes to sustain growth.
He said the achievements reflect “clear evidence of progress,” while calling for continued investment in child health services nationwide.
