The insanity continues in Banjul. While Yaya blames the West for the brain drain, his cronies continue to harass and intimidate independent minded intellectuals and professionals. Dr. Gaye is one of the most seasoned Gambian doctors at the RVH and foremost in the treatment of diabetes. A competent and dedicated practitioner, Dr. Gaye's dedication to his patients is unparalleled. At a time when diabetes is rampant in our country, his expertise is invaluable. His firing goes to show that Yaya and his cronies are not interested in the welfare of our people. They lie about investments and developments in the health sector, but they turn around and fire the doctors who are in the forefront of the battle against diseases affecting our people. This senseless state of affairs will soon be an event of the past. It won't be long now. -------------------------------------------------------- Culled from The Point Newspaper Friday, August 10, 2001 Dr.Alieu Gaye Fired As Staff Express Shock Reliable and competent sources reaching the Point newspaper have intimated that the former Director of Health Services, Dr. Alieu Gaye, who was the head of the Medical Unit at the Royal Victoria hospital (RVH), has been fired with effect from August 7, 2001. Dr. Gaye who received his marching orders on Wednesday, August 8, was informed in a letter addressed to him by the RVH Chief Executive, Dr. Mariatou Jallow, to the effect that his services with the hospital had been terminated with immediate effect. As usual, no reason has been advanced for Dr. Gaye's abrupt sacking. Informed sources say the former health Director's sacking was greeted with shock by the staff of the hospital. Dr. Gaye, who is described as a dynamic and hard- working medical practitioner by his colleagues, would be missed by his patients, particularly those suffering from diabetes. "In fact his absence here had already created a vacuum. Since his sacking, diabetes patients have been calling the hospital enquiring about Dr. Gaye's whereabouts. This is a man who devoted all his life to attending patients. Alieu, doesn't have time for his family or visitors when he is busy in the wards. He gave priority to his patients," said a colleague of the sacked doctor. In the course of investigating Dr. Gaye's sacking, I spoke to one of the diabetes patients, who challenged the RVH authorities to explain the circumstances that led to Dr. Gaye's removal. "We really want to know why he is fired in the first place. This is a man who had been very helpful to us, the diabetes patients. Alieu had never frowned his face to us. He is always smiling when attending to us. This country had lost the services of a very good and dedicated doctor. Now the question is, will the hospital get a person of his calibre? enquired the diabetes patient. When contacted to shed light on the story, the 44- year old doctor confirmed his termination. "I just went to work on August 8 and I was called by my Chief Executive, Dr. Mariatou Jallow, and she gave me my letter with tears in eyes. She said she was not part of the game. She said that to me." Dr. Gaye, who told the Point that he served the RVH for the past 17 years, said he doesn't know the reason that might warrant his sacking. "Really, I do not know why I am sacked. I gave quality services to every Gambian diligently. I am a Gambian. I gave services to this country. I do not do anything wrong. I don't think I have been treated fairly and I deserve an explanation, even though I accepted the termination," said Dr. Gaye. The Medical Doctor, who was informed by the RVH authorities that arrangements would be made to pay his (Gaye's) terminal benefits, told the Point "I am the only doctor who worked for 17 years in the hospital and I have been asked to leave." Further quizzed what might have prompted his unceremonious sacking, Dr. Gaye had this to say: "I hope you will give me an answer one day. I really don't know. It is important to be given the reason, for the benefit of my children and the next generation." When asked whether he suspected any political reason for his dismissal, Dr. Gaye replied: "No no, definitely not. I don't really think so. I am a professional. I was busy attending to dying patients at the female medical ward, when I got a call from Dr. Jallow to go and answer to her urgently." Meanwhile, Dr. Gaye said the RVH authorities had taken the mobile phone they supplied him. The former health director was redeployed to RVH in 1998 to head the medical unit. He was immediately replaced by Dr. Yakunba Gassama, who is now the current health Secretary. Contacted for comment, the RVH Chief Executive, Dr. Jallow, said, "I am at a meeting. Could you please call me back later." At press time, Dr. Jallow said she was still busy attending a meeting and it was not possible to get her reaction. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------