The First Lady, Her Excellency Madam Zineb Yahya Jammeh on Saturday, 1st January 2011 donated a cash amount of five hundred thousand Dalasis for the first babies of the year, whilst praising the 'Operation Save A Baby' for the continual success of the initiative.

This was done at a ceremony held at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital, in Banjul marking entrance of the year 2011.

The Five Thousand Dalasis was shared as follows: One hundred thousand Dalasis for the first baby of the year, one hundred thousand Dalasis for first baby girl of the year and two hundred thousand Dalasis to the first twins of the year.

Other donors on the occasion included Gamtel and Gamcel, who donated an amount of twenty-five thousand Dalasis to the first baby of the year with baby items; Guarantee Trust Bank gave twenty-five thousand Dalasis to first baby boy of the year with valuable items for the baby; Trust Bank Gambia Limited gave twenty-five thousand Dalasis and some items to the first baby girl of the year; and Social Security Housing Financial Cooperation to the first twins of the year, twenty-five thousand Dalasis with some valuable baby items.

As part of the amount donated, ten thousand Dalasis will be used for the naming ceremony of the babies and the remaining balance used to open an account for the babies, to which the mothers would be the signatories and that no withdrawal would take place until after 5 years.

The first baby of the year, who weighed 3.8kg, was delivered at 12:02 by one 30-year-old Haddy Khan of Sinchu Alagie.

Sally Camara of Bansang delivered of the first baby boy of the year. The first baby girl of the year was delivered of by Sukai Jobe of Manjai Kunda and Fatou Njie of Allen Street Banjul delivered the first twins of the year.

Speaking at the occasion, First Lady Zineb Yahya Jammeh congratulated the mothers of the newly born babies, and assured of her resolve to continue supporting the first babies of the year.

Tombong Saidy, the Chairperson of the committee commended the First Lady and the mothers of the new born babies.

He highlighted the numerous contributions of 'Operation Save A Baby' initiative in complementing government's efforts in developing the health sector.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Professor Ousman Nyang, the Chief Medical Director of the RVTH commended the First Lady and the nurses for what he described as a job well done.


By Cherno A. Jallow
Courtesy of Department of Information Services