Sheikh Abdullah Jah Charitable foundation (SAJCH), in collaboration with the regional health office in Western Region, is organising a two-week training course for 50 traditional birth attendants at the Brikama health annex.

Speaking at the opening ceremony yesterday, Professor Dr Omar Jah, president of the foundation, said the aim of the training is to support the efforts of the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare in its attempt to improve the health of all Gambians. He said it also aims to reduce the alarming rate of maternal and newborn mortality in the country.

He added that the successful implementation of this training project would help improve the general health situation in The Gambia.

Professor Omar Jah stated that in the years 2007 and 2008 his organization also trained traditional birth attendants and village health workers in Western Region and North Bank noting that last year, following a request from RVTH, his organization funded the training of 50 Mid-wives on the use of the partograph and other emergency delivery methods.

He pointed out that since the inception of the foundation in 2004, the foundation was able to conduct 35 mobile medical clinic trips treating patients in rural communities free of charge as well as medical personnel.

He said after traditional birth attendant training, 50 village health workers will also be trained.

He stated that 15,000 people benefited from the services of the medical mobile caravan.

He thanked donors both local and international for the support they give the foundation.

For her part, the deputy governor of Western Region, Sainabou Faal, said the foundation is complimenting government efforts in the area of health and called on Gambians to emulate the gesture of professor Jah and his foundation to support the health sector

Mrs Faal said President Jammeh is doing a lot in the area of health.

She urged the TBA’s to take the training seriously.

Aja Abie Khan, regional health officer Western Region, commended the foundation for coming up with such training noting that it will equip the TBA’s to improve in the good work they are doing in their respective communities.

Other speakers at the occasion include the chairman of the Brikama Area Council, Sunkary Badjie, and the head chief of Kombo Central Dembo Santang Bojang.