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Aromatherapy could be just what the doctor ordered
THE Sulayman Jungkung Hospital treats some of the worst cases of malnutrition and disease in The Gambia.
It is not the usual place where you would see a tourist escaping to for relaxation.
But a charity is looking to start aromatherapy and massage sessions in the wards in a bid to attract nearby tourists – and boost the hospital's funds.
Dee Symons, who runs the charity Open Hands Gambia, hopes that the influx of paying westerners will improve the availability of medicine and treatment for locals.
She says tourists will flock to the hospital if it can provide an authentic African experience to visitors.
Dee, 67, who is from Fareham and is a retired physiotherapist, said: 'A hotel has just opened up a few miles down the road, more will come as well, and we need to take advantage of that before someone else does.'
Cash is tight at the hospital and Dee wants to use this trip to set up a private patients' programme alongside the regular work, which will help boost the hospital's funds.
The massage and physiotherapy ward would be one of the first of its kind anywhere in Africa.
Aided by her two young trainees, Malik Colley, 21, and Nyima Tamba, 19, Dee has big plans for the future of the hospital in Bwiam.
The main road from the capital Banjul through to Bwiam is currently undergoing a massive works programme, and its surface has already dramatically improved since Open Hands' last visit in February.
'It only took two hours this time to get here.
'Before that it was at least four hours and you got shaken to pieces,' said Dee.
'As they improve the access more people will come this way, and we need to be ahead of the game.'
chris.broom@thenews.co.uk
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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