The major facelift, which also saw the procurement of the State-Of the-Art equipment, was courtesy of Wilde Ganzen Foundation and PUUR Foundation and costs about $58,000.
This new development, according to health officials, would now significantly strengthen local tertiary health institutions in the country, while reducing referrals of critical cases to the country’s main referrals hospital.
Addressing the gathering on behalf of the Minister of Health at the event, Fatoumata Koma, Coordinator for Partnerships at the Ministry, described the day as another milestone in their shared pursuit for development, progress, and empowerment across the Gambia in particularly West Coast Region.
‘‘It is with great pride and humility that I stand before you on this occasion to officially launch and handover the recently renovated maternity and procured state-of-the-art equipment for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that will strengthen our local tertiary health institution here in Bwiam General Hospital.’’
The renovation of this maternity facility, she added, symbolises the commitment of the Ministry towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortality.
‘‘This initiative not only strengthens the health system but also ensures that health professionals have the necessary tools and infrastructure to deliver high-quality care, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for pregnant women and newborns. By investing in modern maternal lifesaving medicines and equipment, these renovations will reduce or end preventable maternal and neonatal deaths thus improving the overall quality of maternal and newborn care.’’
She revealed that Wilde Ganzen Foundation contributed up to 30% with PUUR Foundation, 70% of the accumulated impressive amount of $58,000 to renovate this facility.
That, she added, highlights the crucial role of partnerships in strengthening our healthcare system and we are grateful for this support.
‘‘The upgrading of this tertiary health facility reflects the Gambia government's ongoing commitment to modernize healthcare and improve medical services across the region. This will improve access to life-saving treatments without the need to travel to Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul. It will also strengthen emergency response and provide a platform for public health initiatives, health research, and education programs.’’
Also speaking, Yusupha Bojang, deputising for the Governor of West Coast Region, said the event marks yet another historic milestone in their commitment to maternal health, reminding that the facility is more than just a new building- it is a safe haven designed to provide specialised, dignified, and compassionate care to mothers and their newborns.
‘‘This investment, featuring modern labour suites, neonatal support systems, and advanced diagnostic equipment, is designed to meet international standards of care. The goal of the government of the Gambia under the leadership of President Barrow is to significantly reduce maternal mortality rates and ensure that every delivery takes place in a clean, secure, and technologically supported environment.’’
To that end, he extended gratitude to partners and staff of the hospital for their tireless efforts in bringing this vision to life.
‘‘Today, we take a giant leap forward in guaranteeing that every woman in our community has access to first-class, specialized health services when bringing new life into the world.’’
Kebba Manneh, Chief Executive Officer, Bwiam General Hospital, first thanked the Ministry for what he called ‘creating an enabling environment, while highlighting the rapid aesthetic transformation taking shape at the hospital; largely due to the recently completed World Bank project.
This kind of support, according to CEO Manneh, continues to strengthen service delivery at the facility. ‘‘Across the Gambia, maternity services have faced numerous challenges ranging from limited infrastructures and equipment gaps in specialized care for mothers and newborns.’’
These challenges, CEO Manneh maintained have overtime affected the quality and safety of care available to women, particularly in rural settings.
CEO Manneh acknowledged that the support of these two institutions has greatly alleviated some of these challenges, noting that through their support they have played a vital role in strengthening safe motherhood initiatives while improving the standard of care available to mothers and newborns in the country.
Ellen Plaschek from PUUR Foundation, while expressing delight to be associated with the event, acknowledged that they gathered to inaugurate not just a building, but a place where life begins.
‘‘A place where mothers will bring new life into this world. To give birth in safe, clean and respectful environment makes strong mothers; and strong mothers make strong families and strong families make a better world’’
She spoke about her first visit at the hospital, which according to her, was for a personal reason, acknowledging that is a shared responsibility.
Tijan Manga, Councillor of Kanilai Ward, who spoke on behalf of the Member of Parliament for Foni Kansala, described the day as not just a moment of hope, but also a symbol of progress and statement of what partnership and compassion can bring about.
He revealed that maternal and neonatal care remains at the heart of any nation’s development and the survival of mothers and new borns is not just a health issue, but a moral responsibility and a duty to humanity.
