The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is working in Partnership with Mecenat Chirugie Cardiaque in France to provide free screening for children with cardiac and heart diseases aged 0-17 years with possibility of treatment and care mainly in France, a media release from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has states.

"The mission comprising of top cardiac surgeons, will be visiting The Gambia and planning to conduct consultations from Monday 24th September to 27September 2012 at the new Serekunda hospital in Kanifing Estate," the release further stated. Mecenat Chirugue is a renowned international charitable organisation specialising in heart diseases and wish to extend its valuable and lifesaving services to the wider Gambian community.

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Mecenat Chirugue Cardiaque, the release went, urges all parents, guardians and healthcare providers who have children under the age of 17 years suffering from any form of cardiac or heart disease to report to the hospital before the specified period and register themselves with the secretary of the chief executive officer of the Serrekunda hospital. "These parents or guardians will then be contacted for scheduling of appointments during the specified period we hope this great opportunity will be adequately utilised by the general Public," the release concluded.