By Fatou Sillah
Trust Bank on Monday donated medical and essential supplies worth D250,000 to Tanka Tanka Psychiatric Hospital, reinforcing the bank’s long-running support to public health institutions through its corporate social responsibility program.
The donation, comprising medical materials, mattresses, office supplies, electronic equipment, detergents, and other items, comes as the country’s only specialized mental health facility faces increasing pressure from rising patient numbers and chronic resource shortages.
Hospital administrators say contributions from private institutions have become critical to sustaining daily operations and maintaining basic standards of care for patients with severe mental health conditions.
Speaking on behalf of Trust Bank’s managing director, Alex Gomez, the bank’s head of marketing and business development said the institution remains committed to advancing mental health services nationwide. Mental health, he noted, is often overlooked within the broader healthcare system despite affecting people “across age, social background, and circumstance.”
“It is our honor to stand with you in this fight to support those who are most vulnerable,” Mr. Gomez said. “Together, with the support of partners like Trust Bank, we can continue to raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma, and provide the necessary assistance that those suffering from mental health illnesses so desperately need.”
Representing the chief matron of Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, operations manager Omar Cham praised the bank for what he described as consistent support not only to Tanka Tanka but also to other units, including the sanatorium and the dialysis center.
“The partnership between the hospital and the trust bank over the years has been very consistent, and it is not only limited to Tanka Tanka; there are other areas of support like the sanatorium and the dialysis unit that trust banks always support,” he said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he added, the bank provided vital clinical support. “Today again we are witnessing another wonderful presentation, a presentation of items, valuable items, sanitary materials, ventilation, and other materials for this hospital.”
Layman Jah, the administrator of Tanka Tanka, also expressed gratitude and said the supplies would be used to strengthen patient care.
The hospital, located in Salagi, remains the country’s primary facility for treating mental health conditions ranging from schizophrenia to severe mood disorders—services that rely heavily on both public funding and private donations.