Gov’t secures $8.6M to implement maternal and child nutrition

The project will be implemented in three regions, namely North Bank West, Upper River Region and Central River Region.

The project, which would include both demand and supply side intervention, would be staggered in phases during the project period, and this staggering would be important to ensure there is sufficient management and oversight during the early stage of the project.

The supply side intervention would be implemented through the health facilities, whereas the demand side intervention would be implemented in the communities, and during the first year the project would be rolled out to at least 12 health facilities and 60 communities within the three regions.

Speaking at the random selection ceremony held at the Baobab Hotel, Modou Cheyassin Phall, NaNa Executive director/project coordinator, stated that the pilot project, which started last December 2013, in NBR covering three health facilities and ten communities was funded to the tune of US$850,000, while the main project was funded to the tune of $8.6 million.

Mr Phall explained that their intention was to expand the project to many places, but they were not going to every community and all health facilities at the same time.

He said the ceremony was held for transparency purposes, adding that they wanted transparency since the project is more about strengthening especially primary health care.

Dr Omar Sey, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, said he had no doubt the project would be successful, adding that CRR and URR needed the project and should not be denied it.

He thanked the President of The Gambia for creating the enabling environment for the programme to be conducted successfully.