The Deputy Officer-in-Charge of Basse Health Centre, Mr Ebrima Baldeh, has revealed to a team of journalists who are currently on a visit to MRC project sites in Upper River Region that plans are underway to transform Basse Health Centre into a District hospital.  He expressed optimism that if Basse Health Centre is transformed into a district hospital, the number of referrals to Bansang would decrease drastically.

He stated that the catchment area alone for Basse has a total of 137,577 inhabitants, noting that the sheer number of inhabitants necessitates the upgrading of the Health Centre to District, whose completion, he said, would reduce cost for treatment while the ambulance would also be in good condition. Mr Baldeh also pointed out that the existence of a District Hospital would ease the economic burden.

Alhagi Samba Tunkara, a commitee member of the health centre, said that there is a close working relationship between MRC and the health centre, adding that their committee sometimes organise fundraising activities for the health centre.

He also reiterated his committee’s support for the expansion of the health facility, noting that major developments have taken place in the health centre in recent times.