The move is part of ongoing initiative designed to reforms the Central Medical Store (CMS) by separating it from the National Pharmaceutical Services (NPS).
However, the event accorded stakeholders the opportunity to engage in frank discussion so as to collectively review and understand the proposed reform roadmap, to discuss its various components, identify potential challenges, and, most importantly, to provide constructive input to shape the final strategy.
Welcoming remarks, Dr. Yusupha Touray, permanent secretary Ministry of Health, explained that reforms are not just about operational improvements; they are about saving lives, improving health outcomes, and building resilience in the face of present and future health challenges ‘we face as a nation, irrespective of our affiliations.’
“This crucial initiative would not be possible without the foundational support of our valued partners. We extend our deepest gratitude to The Global Fund for their significant and timely investment, which has provided the vital impetus needed to kick-start this essential reform process. Your commitment to global health, and particularly to The Gambia, is profoundly appreciated.”
Dr. Touray thus welcome the team from IQVIA, a consultancy firm, who he said, brings invaluable technical expertise and will be presenting the proposed roadmap for these reforms later today.
“Your experience and insights in supply chain management are precisely what we need to guide our strategic direction and develop a comprehensive and actionable plan.”
The event, he said, was designed to be highly interactive and informative, adding that they’re gathered to collectively review and understand the proposed reform roadmap, to discuss its various components, identify potential challenges, and, most importantly, to provide constructive input to shape the final strategy.
This, he said, is a collaborative effort, and the success of these reforms hinges on the active participation and commitment of every stakeholder of the health sector.
“The Government and people of The Gambia, form the highest priority in these reforms. We are fully committed to seeing this process through to a successful conclusion, building a system that is efficient, accountable, and serves the needs of our people for years to come.”
In his introductory remarks, Olaoluwa Akinloluwa, Senior consultant from IQVIA, a consultancy firm, tasked with developing the concept, gave a background information about the concept, further highlighting the benefits the country stands to get.
He acknowledged the move comes as the country witnessed significant development in its health care sector and that proposed reforms would only strengthen it to deliver to the people.
Fatoumatta Samateh, Deputy director National Pharmaceutical Services, also lauded the initiative and it came about in the view of the pressing challenges facing the unit.
She spoke about the benefit of the idea in their quest to deliver to the people of this country.
Declaring the forum open, Dr Ahmad Lamin Samateh, minister of Health, described the Central Medical Store as not just merely a building where medicines and medical supplies are store, but that it is the very heart of our health care supply chain, the crucial link that ensures essential health products reach our hospital, clinics and ultimately citizens.
Minister Samateh described the day’s event as a pivotal moment for the country’s healthcare sector; a moment where they collectively recognised the indispensable role of the Central Medical Store and the urgent need to strengthen its operations to better serve the people.
"The CMS is not just merely a building where medicines and medical supplies are stored. It is the very heart of our healthcare supply chain, the crucial link that ensures essential health care products reach our hospital, clinics and ultimately, our citizen from the furthest corners of our nations to the most urban centres."
