By Olimatou Coker
Big Dreams Inc. and International Medical and Dental Relief IMR, both of the U.S, have offered free medical and dental relief to over 4180 Gambians in Sika, Pakau Njogu and Medina Sedia villages in northern Gambia.
The services lasts three days.
It was also extended to Sanyang and Bondali villages in the West Coast Region.
IMR and BDI brought a team of nine licensed medical professionals and health educators to The Gambia.
In Sika, the team treated and offered free medical and dental relief to 711 people, 896 people in Pakau Njogu and 1400 in Medina Sedia. 697 people were treated in Sanyang and 476 in Bondali, respectively.
They were collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to reach these communities.
The ministry earlier this year signed a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) with the IMR, a registered medical organisation with NGO status, based in the United States and Big Dreams Inc. BDI, for the health initiative.
Mamina Sonko, founder – Big Dreams Inc, said their challenge was to meet the need of the people as there were many who needed medical care.
Amy Jordheim, chairperson of IMR medical advisory, said access to health care in rural Gambia is sometimes hard.
“That is why there were huge number of people who came to seek assistance”.
Janet Bavter, a member of the relief team, said she rushed at the opportunity to come to Africa, specifically Gambia, to help serve humanity.
She described The Gambia as a great country for volunteerism.
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare earlier this year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with International Medical Relief (IMR) and Big Dreams Inc. (BDI) for the medical and dental mission.
Amy Jordheim, chairperson of IMR medical advisory board earlier this year visited The Gambia at the invitation of the health ministry to discuss the IMR and Big Dreams partnership.
The partnership ensures cooperation between them and the two organisations provide oversight and local knowledge for the areas and populations with the greatest needs.
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