Dear Mr.Editor,
Thankyou, for your concern towards the plight of Mr.Sanneh.
May I also thank you on behalf of British People for your warm words of welcome and support.I too have a great affection and trust of Gambian people.
I hope your compassionate appeal for Mr.Sanneh to get in touch, will bare fruit.
May I correct any missunderstanding that may ensue from your commentary.
In my previous piece's concerning his welfare and predicament,I have refferred to the only information available...from the Daily Observers description.
I would be reluctant to finance his total bill for medical treatment, simply because this would set a precident for all Gambian citizens, needing medical treatment..to consider me as there first port of call.This is not my responsibility, Neither would I wish to usurp The Gambian Governments duty of care towards its own citizens.
The purpose of diplomatic missions overseas is multi tasked.One of its prime functions is to the care of its nationals whilst on foreign soil.The Gambia has upto 80,000 British visitors every year, mainly holiday makers taking a well earned break.If a British citizen becomes ill whilst abroad and has not taken out adequate medical insurance, the cost of medical repatriation may be born from the British Government.However , the citizen would have a duty to repay this expense..which can run into several thousands of pounds.There are other matters pertaining to any alleged criminal activity which the embassy has a duty of care towards the prevailing conditions faced and may provide legal assistance.It may be a simple matter of a stolen or lost passport....The High Commission is there to offer assistance in many such matters.It also has a duty by British and International Law to process visa applications, using the strict protocol and conduct set in place and also to administer the charges for this service as determined by The British Parliament. I faced exactly the same scrutiny when I applied for a visitors visa to Nigeria.I also paid there toll and fees as the prescribed.Without rancor.
Regarding Mr.Sanneh, I had written to our High Commission offering to assist and respectfully asked for instruction and advice.Of course The High Commission can not comment on individual cases as this may infringe the right to confidentiality of the applicant.
Having supported several visa applications in the past..successfully, I see my position as someone who would be responsible for Mr.Sanneh's location and his requirement to return to the Gambia as per the conditions of his visa.
It seems fairly obvious that his location would be as a patient of St.Georges Hospital.The length of stay would be at the consideration of his medical team headed by his Consultant Doctor.His repatriation subject to his reasonable medical status.I had avised quite properly, that I would liase with the Hospital to give consistant reports to The High Commission on his status and medical progress and whether an extension to his visa may be required.Mr.Sanneh is reported to have sufficient funds to cover his medical expenses/accomodation/travel and his personal needs towards his comfort.
It therefore remains to engage the travel operators and those who would transport Mr.Sanneh through his course to the hospital.In this regard, I believe it would be within the duty of The Gambian High Commission in London.Hence I have respectfully e/mailed the resident High Commissioner to suggest the need for co-ordination of effort.
My position in this is therefore quite reasonable.I would stand for his visa application...and approach those who are or would be involved to seek realistic assurances....and evidence to support his medical visa application to a speedy and urgent..successful conclusion.For this I would not expect any financial consideration or praise.I would do this as a token of my thanks to the Gambian Government..through the Honerable Samba Faal, who since 2004, knowing that I am now a registered disabled person, took care to meet me from my aeroplane at Banjul airport, and deliver me through the VIP lounge to my hotel and subsequently offered his driver and his car at my disposal to deliver my many humaniatarian causes towards the development of Sport in The Gambia.
I see this repayment in kind as very justifiable and above all ..reasonable.
I remain..Michael