More than D600,000 was raised online for Isatou Suso's heart surgery at the University Medical Centre Groningen in Holland. 

The life-saving surgery was successful, but now, there are fears that the 26-year-old, who is from a poor background, might struggle to live a normal life in The Gambia due to the country's dilapidated healthcare system.  

A medical doctor at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital told What's On-Gambia: "I think it's better for Isatou to remain in Holland for her mental and emotional well-being." 

According to him, life after heart surgery is always a challenge for many Gambians, especially those from poor families.  

"Cardiac rehabilitation, which is very important after surgery, doesn't exist in our country," he said.  

The fight against cardiovascular diseases is still not a priority for the Government of The Gambia. The great financial efforts are mainly brought to combat infectious and parasitic diseases such as diarrhoea, malnutrition, malaria, and HIV/AIDS.