The Gambia Blood Donors Association (Gamblood), in collaboration with the National Assembly Members (NAMs) and the Association of Health Journalists, on Thursday, inaugurated the association’s new executive at the RVTH in Banjul.

Delivering her welcoming remarks, Ms Rohey Njie-Secka, Chairperson of Gamblood, said the inauguration of the executive marked another milestone in the struggle to improve health care delivery system in the country.

He said the association went through a rigorous restructuring a month ago, which involved the election of a new executive committee to steer the affairs of the association. She said the exercise has brought about a change from the leadership cadre to the general membership.

She further indicated that members of the association have organised a day-long blood donation session, as their first activity since the election of a new executive. According to her, the activity was held to reduce the scarcity of blood in the blood bank. “We all know that blood is scare in supply and it cannot be purchased or manufactured. The only possible means of getting blood is from people,” Ms Njie-Secka noted.

In his remarks, Pa Modou Faal, President of the Association of Health Journalists, urged Gambians and non-Gambians to continue donating blood.

Hon Adama Cham, Chairperson of the Health Select Committee of the National Assembly, renewed his committee’s commitment to support the health sector.

Prof Patrick Ade, Head of RVTH’s laboratory, lauded Gamblood for its contribution towards saving lives by ensuring the availability of blood for the country.