The annual event is designed to enable Ministry highlight successes as well as challenges in various health programmes and to initiate recommendations on the way forward. It also represents a critical milestone in the Ministry's drive towards ensuring equitable access to health care services and achieving Universal Health Coverage in the country.
The theme for this year's event was 'Equitable Access to National Health Insurance to Enhance Quality Health Care and the Attainment of Universal Health Coverage.'
Muhammed Lamin Jaiteh, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, thanked their stakeholders and development partners for their turn out, saying the event has become an important tradition for the Ministry where they provide opportunity to their stakeholders, development partners and the population at large to review their performances over the past year.
"We highly cherish this opportunity and therefore welcome you all to this eventwhich will provide us with invaluable inputs to enrich our process going forward."
Momodou Gassama, communications specialist at the World Health Organisation Gambia Office on behalf of the WHO country representativeand United Nations family expressed appreciation to be associated with the event.
"Also, I want to extend gratitude to the Minister Samateh for organising this very importantreview. It is important because you are doing a great job and how you know that you are doing a great job is by reflecting on your performances and constraints."
Gassama further thanked the present leadership of the Ministry for their foresight in organising such an important event.
Gassama equally spoke highly of gains made by the Ministry of Health within the African Region, saying the latest report prepared by Integrated African Observatory (IAHO) in collaboration with the WHO, reveals significant performance of country's health care sector.
Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, minister of Health reaffirmed their unending commitment to accountability, transparency and continuous learning as they strive to provide quality healthcare services for every citizen and resident in the country.
"Allow me to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all directors, coordinators,programme managers, health care professionals and all stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to make this meeting possible. Your dedication and hardwork are essential to the success of our healthcare system and the wellbeing of the Gambian population."
Minister Samateh disclosed that cabinet approved the National Health Sector policy 2021-2030 with the theme building partnerships for quality health care for all.
The implementation of the policy, he added is guided by the validated National Health Sector Strategic Plan 2021-2025.
"The Monitoring and Evaluation Plan 2021-2025 will be the backbone of our accountability and learning processes.Itwill rigorously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of our health programs, identify gaps, assess the impact of our initiatives and make informed decisions to strength the health system further."
Minister Samateh reminded that the country's journey towards ensuring Universal Health Coverage is challenging, but it is also filled with hope and determination.
"It requires cooperation, collaboration and shared vision among all stakeholders."
He spoke highly of the gains made under his tenure, posting that their commitment to equitable access to National Health Insurance is a testament to their resolve in transforming the country's healthcare landscape.
The event alsofeatured presentations from different units within the Ministry.
