The current government, he added, has inherited dilapidated infrastructure, paucity of equipment and life-saving equipment.
Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh was speaking recently as he inspected ongoing works at Njau Health Centre in the Upper Saloum, Central River Region north. This 56-bed facility, once completed would significantly add value to the quality of health care services especially communities in the CRR north and beyond.
Shortly after inspecting different sections of the facility, Minister Samateh acknowledged that works were progressing smoothly, maintaining that when President Barrow assumed office, he inherited huge capacity gaps which they are addressing now.
“And he has given us instructions to ensure that we address it holistically, so that we are able to provide universal health coverage for the people of this country. How are we addressing that? Infrastructure, you have seen the massive renovation. So, we are renovating old dilapidated health facilities and upgrading them in most of the cases,” he said, adding they are also providing accommodation health staff so that they could deliver the services in dignified environments.”
Minister Samateh made reference to numerous infrastructural developments taking shape at the country’s health facilities, adding that they are also building capacity of staff as well as providing lifesaving equipment, essential drugs and other medical items.
“Some of them are already here. Some have been installed and some more are coming. This is coupled with capacity building.”
The Health Minister also informed that now doctors are specializing in surgery, urology, general surgery, orthopaedic surgery especially at the country’s main referral teaching hospital- the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital.
To this end, he disclosed that already over 100 young doctors mainly Gambians are specializing to be able to provide these remarkable services for the people of this country.
“Nurses are also specializing in anesthesia and anesthetic nurses. Some have graduated in midwifery. The School of Pharmacy in collaboration with the University of The Gambia, the Ministry of Health, is establishing a Pharmacy course now. So, we now train pharmacists in-country and we are doing this in collaboration with the Medical School, University of The Gambia.”
He commended World Bank Group, Global Fund and WHO Country team for all their moral, financial and technical support.
“Of course, to the government of The Gambia, His Excellency, president Adama Barrow, because some of these facilities were built from national resources, from GLF. That's the fund from the Ministry of Finance, especially this one that we are standing in Njau. It's all from the government funds, even though the equipment here were provided by the World Bank Group.”
Also speaking, Dr. Nathan Nsubuga Baykaita, country representative of the World Health Organisation, recalled that he started Gambia mission about six months ago.
He expressed delight to see some facilities being renovated. “But, I'm so glad to see here that all the structures we've looked at, a lot of thoughts have gone through, because one of the things we need to bear in mind when managing patients is how they flow in light of infection control. We've all had these things, and I've seen a lot of that being done that way.”
Demba Sey, the chief of Upper Saloum, expressed delight with the state of progress made thus far, while looking forward to the final completion of this important edifice.
Earlier on, the minister and delegation first visited Kiang Karantaba Health Post in Kiang West, where ongoing renovation works were going smoothly. At the facility, Minister Samateh, while expressing delight over what he had seen, however, stressed the need to ensure quality works for the facility to serve its purpose.
Minister Samateh and delegation later drove through the South Bank road in Kabada region of Kiang, where he inspected Medina Angalaise and Medina Sanchang health facilities undergoing constructions.
These health facilities being supported by GAVI would significantly help strengthen health services in rural communities.
