The African Oyster Trust Charity | Nursery Education and Healthcare in Gambia
  • Home
  • Our Work
  • The Projects
    • Stepping Stones Nursery School
    • Jappineh Nursery School
    • Sir Howard Dalton Clinic
    • Mariama Mae Nursery School, Gunjur
    • Wellingara Health Centre
    • Bakary Sambouya Clinic
    • Hilary Emery Nursery School
  • Who We Are
  • Support Us
    • Make a Difference
  • News Diary
  • Contact Us

Our latest news

"To make a difference" - nursing with the Trust in Gambia

8/2/2020

0 Comments

 
On her recent visit to Gambia, Dee Bixley interviewed nurse Dembo Njie’s about his journey to the Trust's Wellingara Clinic.

How did your nursing career begin?

I studied for three years at the School of Nursing, for my SRN [State Registered Nurse] and passed all examinations. Then I was employed by the Government at Basse Hospital, where I worked for seven years. For three of those years I was in the Pharmacy, dealing with outpatient emergencies, and gaining excellent pharmaceutical experience.

Then one day the Pharmacy Director told me he planned to open his own pharmacy and he’d like me to join him. It would mean that I’d have to quit working for the Government, but I thought “Wow: he must think well of me!” It was an interesting opportunity - so I agreed and left the Government.
It took us about three months to prepare and stock the pharmacy, in the Kombo area of Banjul. I became Senior Manager and worked there for ten years.

Do you remember when you first met Kira?

Oh yes! I met Kira when she came to the pharmacy to purchase wholesale medicines. My boss knew her well and told me afterwards that her husband had passed away. I was struck by the way she knew Gambians, the way she spoke about them, wanted to help them.

Over the years whenever she went to the UK she would leave cash with me. “This is for my people,” she’d say. It was Kira’s way of making sure that if her neighbours needed help, and couldn’t afford medication, there would be money here waiting. I told my brother: “This Kira - she is our sister! She is Gambian!”
I have heard it said that people love you. Why is that?

When it comes to health, I respond promptly and do my utmost, whatever the ailment is. If there’s a social problem - for example a wound - there are different sorts of wounds and some need daily attention. If they are infected, I act immediately and monitor them. When I see crazy wounds, I get crazy about curing them. I think that’s why people love me - “When Dembo touches us, we are well again!”

During the rainy season, malaria, pneumonia, gastro-enteritis and malnutrition are rampant and the Clinic is full. January, February and March are quieter months, but we always aim to meet our targets.

How did you react when Kira asked you to leave the pharmacy and run a Health Clinic for the Trust?

That blew me apart. The thought of leaving the Banjul people was very difficult, and they didn’t want me to go. They couldn’t understand why I was even thinking about it. But finally, I realised: this is about me! I am a nurse! I wanted a nurse’s challenges again; to use my knowledge and make a difference.

When I came here to Wellingara Clinic things changed - let’s just leave it at that! We took over from another charity and the place was sinking. But in our first month the patient numbers increased hugely and that continues. People have confidence in us. I always say to the team: “Let us do good for the patients and they will always come back to us.”

A few people complained that the medication cost too much - but they became well! So now they say, “It might be expensive but it’s very good!” It has been a remarkable turnaround and the patient numbers are still going up and people are confident.

What would you most like to see achieved for the health of Gambians?

My wish is for Gambians to realise the importance of sensitization. Getting regular health check-ups at your nearest health centre or clinic – this is crucial. And not to be scared, because if there is something that needs attention, it is best to catch it early. I cannot stress this enough.

Is it helpful to have a healthy sense of humour in Gambia?

Definitely! Humour is essential in The Gambia! Thank you, Dee! Continue your efforts!
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    News Diary

    The News Diary is a regular account of all that is happening at The African Oyster Trust. Please pop back for regular updates, follow us on Twitter or sign up for our RSS feed to have the latest news sent straight to your computer!

    RSS Feed

    Subscribe to our email updates

    Authors

    The news diary is written by a number of people close to the work of the African Oyster Trust, including founder James Holden, his co-directors, trustees and volunteers.

    Archives

    February 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    April 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    August 2020
    February 2020
    November 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    November 2014
    July 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    September 2012
    May 2012
    February 2012
    November 2011
    October 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    October 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009
    November 2008
    July 2008
    May 2008
    March 2008
    February 2008

    Categories

    All
    Alan
    Alison
    Fundraising
    Gambia
    Gunjur
    Hens
    James
    Jappineh
    Kira
    Kunta Kinteh
    Laura
    Marc
    Mariama Mae
    Mariamas Nursery School
    Report
    Reportm
    Stepping Stones
    Talinding

  • Home
  • Our Work
  • The Projects
    • Stepping Stones Nursery School
    • Jappineh Nursery School
    • Sir Howard Dalton Clinic
    • Mariama Mae Nursery School, Gunjur
    • Wellingara Health Centre
    • Bakary Sambouya Clinic
    • Hilary Emery Nursery School
  • Who We Are
  • Support Us
    • Make a Difference
  • News Diary
  • Contact Us