By: Sering Mass Jallow
The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) has donated a 1000 KVA power generator to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), aimed at improving the facility’s operational efficiency and ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services.
The generator was handed over during a ceremony held at the GPA dockyard in Banjul on Thursday, 9 July 2026.
Speaking at the ceremony, GPA Managing Director Ousman Jobarteh said the donation was part of the authority’s commitment to supporting the health sector and improving public service delivery.
He said the equipment would help strengthen the hospital’s capacity to provide quality medical services to patients.
“This is our modest contribution to assist government in delivering quality health services in a very important sector,” Jobarteh said.
He also called for increased support from institutions and philanthropists to help address the challenges facing the country’s main referral hospital, noting that government alone could be overwhelmed in meeting all existing needs.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr Cherno Jallow described the intervention as timely, saying it would address one of the facility’s major challenges.
“This donation is timely and is needed. It will benefit us greatly, our patients and the country at large,” he said.
Dr Jallow also commended the GPA for its continued support to EFSTH, particularly its assistance towards specialized overseas training for hospital staff.
He, however, appealed for additional support to address other infrastructural and operational needs of the hospital.
He assured that the generator would be properly maintained to ensure its long-term functionality.
“We will ensure continuous preventive maintenance to keep the machine in good shape and operational,” he said.
Acting Board Chairperson of EFSTH, Lamin F. Jawara, also praised the GPA’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, saying the authority’s interventions benefit many Gambians.
He said the donation would contribute to maintaining efficient healthcare delivery and improving services at the country’s main teaching hospital.
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