Africa-Press – Gambia. Some 76 patients recently received free surgical treatment during a free cataract surgery camp held at Bwiam General Hospital in Foni Kansala.
The camp was organised through a partnership between Bwiam General Hospital, the Kalilu Jammeh Foundation and Asociación Contra la Ceguera Internacional (ACCI-SPV), a Spanish non-governmental organisation.
The initiative forms part of the Kalilu Jammeh Foundation’s broader development mandate, which includes healthcare, education, agriculture and orphan support. The programme aims to complement government efforts to improve access to quality healthcare services, particularly eye care.
Speaking at the conclusion of the exercise, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the Kalilu Jammeh Foundation, Kalilu Jammeh, thanked the management of Bwiam General Hospital for its cooperation and support, as well as the Spanish cataract specialists for their contribution to the success of the programme. He said the partnership enhanced skills transfer among doctors and nurses and strengthened professional collaboration.
Chief Executive Officer of Bwiam General Hospital, Kebba Manneh, described the cataract surgery camp as successful, noting that all 76 patients scheduled for surgery were operated on. He commended the Spanish partners and the Kalilu Jammeh Foundation for fulfilling the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2025.
Mr. Manneh said the collaboration improved service delivery and provided opportunities for experience sharing among medical personnel. He also expressed appreciation to ACCI-SPV for donating a state-of-the-art surgical microscope, which he said would enhance the hospital’s capacity to deliver quality eye care services.
He further described the on-going renovation and expansion of the hospital by the Ministry of Health as a significant milestone, thanking the Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, for the initiative, and noting the strategic location of the facility.
Art photographer Isabel Munoz and Pablo Velez, Chief Executive Officer of ACCI-SPV, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting hospitals through the provision of skilled medical personnel and modern equipment. They disclosed that the Spanish medical mission also conducted cataract surgeries at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul, where 116 patients were operated on, as well as similar activities in Farafenni.
According to them, the first Spanish medical team returned to Barcelona after completing the Banjul phase of the programme, while second team arrived to continue operations in Bwiam.
Cataract surgeon Dr. Abubacarr Trawalley expressed satisfaction with the level of collaboration during the four-day surgery camp, describing the support received as remarkable. He said the programme significantly improved access to quality eye care services, with many beneficiaries regaining their sight and improving their quality of life.
Dr. Trawalley added that the initiative helped prevent avoidable blindness, reduced the burden of untreated cataracts and strengthened the capacity of local health professionals through hands-on training and knowledge sharing. He noted that the donation of modern medical equipment would further support the sustainability of eye care services at the hospital.
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