Soroptimist International, a worldwide organisation for women in management and professions, on Wednesday donated medical equipment to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH).

The equipement, a blood pressure machine, diabetes monitoring system, mosquito nets and bed sheets are meant for use at the female surgical ward better known as Soroptimist ward of the RVTH.

Being a global voice for women through awareness, advocacy and action, Soroptimist International has the objective of helping the advancement of women, maintenance of high ethical standards and human rights for all.

Having been formed in the year 1986 and chartered the following year, Soroptimist has been sponsoring girls in schools, donating bed nets to rural communities to fight against malaria and sponsoring women in vegetable gardening schemes among other activities.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mrs. Beatrice Prom, President of Soroptimist International club of Banjul highlighted some of the achievements registered by the club for the past years.

This, she said, has not been easy to get all at once but with the support of others, their dreams will surely be achieved.

“This is not the first time and it will not be the last. We want to support this ward as much as we can”, she said.

Mrs. Prom expressed hope that the collaboration between the club and the Royal Victoria Victoria Teaching Hospital will grow from strength to strength.

She however commended the management of the Hospital for giving them the opportunity to help empower Gambian women by immensely donating to the female surgical ward.

Speaking earlier, Mrs. Jean Clement, Public Relations Officer of Soroptimist Banjul club, commended the management of the hospital for keeping the ward clean. She also expressed hope that the relationship between the two will grow from strength to strength.

Receiving the items on behalf of the Hospital management, Mrs. Rafat Adeku Akaje (TAC) thanked Soroptimist for what she describe as a timely gesture. “This could not have come at a better time than now when we are in need of such equipment”, she added.