The Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Dr Ismaila Ceesay, said the decision reflects government’s commitment to affordable healthcare and universal health coverage.
“We are going back to what used to prevail before,” Dr Ceesay said during Coffee Time with Peter Gomez, confirming that charges were being reverted from the increased rates to the previous costs.
He said the issue had become a recurring concern, with citizens raising objections to the increased hospital charges.
“That is the importance why the President goes on these tours, to listen to Gambians, to respond to their concerns,” he said.
Dr Ceesay said the reversal would help ensure that every Gambian, regardless of where they live, has access to affordable and quality healthcare.
“So every Gambian, no matter whether you are from Basse or Koina, you have access to affordable, quality healthcare,” he said.
He further clarified that antenatal care and healthcare for children under five remain free nationwide through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
The minister’s comments came after discussion on the recent increase in health facility charges. The government had previously appeared before the public to justify the increment, but the charges have now been restored to their former levels.
Dr Ceesay also linked the reversal to concerns raised during the President’s nationwide tour, saying the President had listened to Gambians and feels their pain.
He said the decision demonstrates government’s commitment to affordable healthcare and universal health coverage.
The development comes as government continues engagements with citizens during the President’s leave. According to Dr Ceesay, the President has been using the period to intensify interactions with Gambians, listen to their concerns and seek solutions to problems.
The health charge reversal therefore stands out as a response to concerns raised by citizens during those engagements, with government returning health facility charges to the rates that prevailed before the controversial increase.
