By Alieu Ceesay
When Lamin Marong saw the devastation caused by COVID-19 in 2019, he knew he couldn’t stand idly by while people in his home country of The Gambia struggled to access quality healthcare. Driven by a passion for humanitarian service, he launched the Marong Foundation for Health, a vital initiative to tackle some of the country’s most pressing health challenges, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, and sexual and reproductive health issues.
“For me, humanitarian services are a passion,” Marong said in a recent interview with TAT. Based in the United States, Marong is committed to making a difference back home. “We want to create awareness about STIs and HIV/AIDS, provide free sexual and reproductive health services, help cover medical bills for those infected with HIV/AIDS, and support cancer patients.”
The Marong Foundation, officially launched this year, started its activities in 2019 amid the global COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic laid bare the vulnerabilities in many communities, inspiring Marong to establish an organization deeply committed to ensuring that all Gambians—especially young people—have access to proper medical care.
The foundation’s efforts include organizing awareness campaigns and collaborating with youth groups and community organizations to train on the early detection of AIDS and other harmful diseases. “We work with partners that have similar goals and objectives,” Marong explained, stressing the importance of cooperation in achieving widespread health improvements.
Operating both locally and internationally, the Marong Foundation is steadily building a network of committed members and allies, striving to deliver efficient medical services to those in need across The Gambia. Marong hopes to foster impactful solutions and improve health outcomes nationwide through these partnerships.
With a strong focus on empowering young people, the foundation aims to address immediate health concerns and advocate for systemic improvements in health services. According to Marong, the journey for better healthcare in The Gambia is just beginning.