Gambia celebrates first-ever Universal Health Coverage Day

12 December was set aside in 2017, by the United Nations to raise awareness on the need for stronger, resilient and smarter health systems and to provide access to Universal Health Coverage.

The event, which started with a march-past from Senegambia junction to Sir Dawda Kairaba International Conference Center, was themed - ‘Build the World We Want: A Healthy Future for All’.

This year marks the first-ever celebrations of the day in The Gambia.

Welcoming the gathering, Haddy Badjie, deputy director of Planning and Information at the Ministry of Health, explained that since the event is celebrated around the globe, they also thought it wise to join in the global celebrations.

She noted that The Gambia also embarked on some successful events towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage, making reference to the National Health Insurance Bill, which was enacted by parliament. 

This, among other successful initiatives, she believes has helped the country towards the attainment of the UHC. 

She therefore thanked WHO and other UN agencies for their support to the Health Ministry in realising its objectives. 

Dr. Makawa Makawasy, on behalf of the WHO rep in Gambia, while thanking the Ministry equally congratulated officials for celebrating the first-ever UHC day in the country.

The move, he said, demonstrates heightened commitment by the country towards attaining Universal Health Coverage. 

Dr. Makawa reminded that on the day each year, advocates raise their voices to share the stories of the millions of people still waiting for health, as well as call on leaders to make bigger and smarter investments in health.

The WHO official acknowledged that The Gambia is making significant progress in the attainment of the UHC, saying the initiatives undertaken by the government has placed the country on right track in ensuring health for all.

He commended the government of The Gambia for the giant strides made thus far in ensuring health for all, further making reference to the National Health Insurance Scheme, which is designed to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure on health. 

Gibril Jarju, director of Planning and Information at the Ministry of Health, deputising for the Minister, underscored the importance of the day, indicating that the day is an annual rallying point for the growing movement to ensure the right to health for everyone, everywhere. 

The day, he added, reflects the importance of building stronger, safer and fairer health systems that can provide essential health care services to all who need them in a timely manner. 

He acknowledged the efforts of government towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage especially with the enactment of the National Health Insurance Bill, as a testament to that fact.