Sintet Residents Hail WILL & Partners Staff Quarters Intervention

WILL Inaugurates Staff Quarters for Sintet Health Centre © Askanwi

By Edward Francis Dalliah, Jr.

Residents of Sintet expressed profound gratitude to the Women in Leadership and Liberation (WILL) and its partners for their intervention in renovating brand-new staff quarters at the Sintet Community Health Centre, describing the initiative as a transformative development for healthcare delivery in the area.

The project, funded and supported by WILL and the Annegret and Karl-Heinrich Foundation in collaboration with the Village Development Committee (VDC), is expected to significantly improve service delivery, staff retention, and emergency response at the rural health facility.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on 8th February 2026, the officer in charge at the health centre, Muhammed Saidy, described the staff quarters as more than just infrastructure. He told WILL and its partners that the inauguration of the quarters “marks a significant day for the people of Sintet and the surrounding communities. The staff quarters are more than just a structure.”

Muhammed Saidy Officer in Charge © Askanwi

According to Saidy, the facility will allow health workers to respond more effectively to emergencies and provide quality care. He pointed out that “the quarters will help us render quality service delivery to the people of Sintet and beyond. It will give us comfort and a calm mind to perform our duties as required. It will help us attend to emergencies quickly and save lives.”

In rural health centres, accommodation, among other facilities, often affects staff morale and retention. Many health workers prefer working in the urban areas rather than the rural areas of the Gambia due to the lack of proper facilities, such as accommodation in health centres. However, Saidy noted that “good staff quarters are a strong incentive, especially in rural areas; they help keep professional staff long-term. It also improves safety and security, particularly during late-night shifts.”

Ensa Jammeh Health Worker © Askanwi

Health workers at the centre welcomed the intervention, linking improved welfare directly to improved patient care. Ensa Jammeh, who spoke on behalf of the staff, noted that “when we are better taken care of, we are well-equipped to provide exceptional care to our patients.” He emphasised that the quarters go beyond housing: “It’s about creating an environment where we can strive, a place where we can relax, recharge and truly feel at home.”

The Chairman of the Village Development Committee, Jabang Tamba, commended the partners for responding to the community’s needs and supporting rural healthcare development and called for greater support. He told partners and the community that “while we celebrate this milestone, we must also speak honestly about the remaining needs [of the Health Centre].”

Tamba highlighted that these remaining needs include the general renovation of the health centre, with immediate attention needed for the labour ward. He emphasised that “the ward needs a toilet facility somewhere near or within the ward. These areas are crucial to maternal and child health, dignity and safety.”

Health Director Jeandarc Jarju Kujabi © Askanwi

Meanwhile, the Regional Health Director Jeandarc Jarju Kujabi described the intervention as a major boost to service quality in the area. She noted that “having these staff quarters is definitely something that is going to contribute greatly to improving the quality of services in this community.” She also highlighted the importance of community participation in development initiatives, pointing out that “overcoming our challenges is not solely the responsibility of the government. It is the responsibility of every one of us. Today, I am deeply touched by the commitment shown.”

For the people of Sintet, the intervention by WILL and its partners represents a tangible investment in the health and well-being of the community. By improving staff accommodation, the project is expected to enhance morale, strengthen emergency response, and ensure sustained healthcare delivery in the region.

Watch the video report in the video below.