By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
In a remarkable display of community unity and volunteerism, more than 3,000 patients received free medical screenings, consultations, diagnoses, laboratory tests, scans, and medications during a one-day medical outreach held at the Kaur Health Center on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
The event, organized by the Kaur Medical Team in partnership with the Chosan Charitable Medical Foundation, was fully funded by residents of Kaur Janneh Kunda, Kaur Touray Kunda, and Kaur Wharf Town, as well as contributions from partners and well-wishers. Organizers described it as the largest and most successful outreach in the foundation’s history.
Thirty-seven doctors – including 35 consultants and specialists – were joined by 25 nurses, 12 pharmacists, laboratory technicians, and other health professionals, many of whom are natives of Kaur working across The Gambia and abroad. The team provided comprehensive care in a region with no government-assigned medical doctor.
Essa Marenah, Director of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) and a key organizer, called the outreach “a total success and a milestone achievement spearheaded by the people of Kaur themselves.”
“The idea started with just four of us – Dr. Fatoumata Jobarteh, Modou Lamin Ceesay, Dr. Muhammed Janneh, and myself,” Marenah said. “We expanded it to all Kaur citizens working in the health sector, and the entire community embraced it.”
He credited the massive turnout and smooth execution to the active involvement of the Alkalos of Kaur, Village Development Committee members, youth and women’s associations, and local stakeholders who contributed both funds and labor.
“Over 3,000 patients have been fully registered and attended to – not just seen, but given proper check-ups, lab tests, scans when needed, accurate diagnoses, and free medication,” Marenah told The Alkamba Times. He estimated that the total value of medicines, laboratory reagents, and consumables distributed exceeded D400,000 (approximately US$5,700), including D350,000 in drugs alone.
Karafa Jobarteh, Chairman of the Kaur Medical Outreach Committee, praised the volunteers for their dedication, noting that the team also provided emergency care to victims of a serious road traffic accident in nearby Jahaur village that day. “Without these specialist doctors on the ground, the outcome for those victims could have been far worse,” he said.
Dr. Muhammed Janneh, President of the Chosan Charitable Medical Foundation and a native of the area, revealed that the Kaur outreach marked the foundation’s 35th medical mission. “This has been one of our most successful ever,” Dr. Janneh declared. “We are proud to complement government efforts to bring accessible, quality healthcare to rural communities where it is most needed.”
He emphasized that all services were provided voluntarily by health professionals, many of whom were from rural backgrounds, and expressed gratitude to local leaders and volunteers.
Organizers confirmed that planning is already underway for future outreaches in Kaur, contingent on funding and logistics. “This is just the beginning,” Dr. Janneh said. “With continued community support, we can do even more.”
The event, which concluded with a presentation of certificates to the volunteers, has been widely hailed as a shining example of what unified community action can achieve in bridging Gambia’s rural healthcare gap.
