The development comes as a relief to many especially women, who described the project as ‘historic’ in view of the centre’s strategic location. The ward, which has been uniquely designed in a model with one woman to a delivery room so that privacy is ensured, records a total of 300 deliveries per month.
The ceremony also coincided with the centre’s annual presentation of awards to outstanding staff, who have worked tremendously with dedication in ensuring quality health care services at the centre.
At the ceremony, David Daye, Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of Serrekunda Minor Health Centre, acknowledged that the health facility, is one of the oldest health facilities in the country, noting that the facility might be a small centre but is already in the history books of the Gambia.
“The centre is with the vision to deliver quality health care service to its clients. The pursuit of this important vision has open doors for the health facility to win this important project, which we are all here to celebrate. Therefore, this is a victory for every Gambian especially the people of Serrekunda and its surroundings, who are the beneficiary of this project.”
OIC Daye indicated that the new State of Art facility maternity ward is uniquely designed to allow male involvement at the labour ward as partners to encourage companionship, thanks to their sponsors (UNFPA) and contractors.
He maintained that the inauguration is a dream to have the best maternity wards in the country. “We have the maternity ward that meets international standards.” he added.
He equally paid glowing tribute to hard working staff of the centre, especially those awarded for their dedication and hard work in ensuring health service is delivered at the facility.
Also speaking, Fatou Sanyang, principal nursing officer at the Regional Health Directorate, Western One, expressed delight to be part of the event, acknowledging the Ministry and its partners like UNFPA have committed themselves to the reduction of maternal mortality rate in the country.
“The renovation of this labour ward would significantly add value to the maternal services and reduce the work load at the Kanifing General Hospital where they were referring all the maternal cases.”
Principal Nursing officer Sanyang acknowledged that the ward has been uniquely designed in a model in which one woman to a delivery room so that privacy is ensure and partner participation during delivery is encouraged.
She acknowledged that the centre is strategically situated a neighbourhood with a population of over 123,000 inhabitants.
Dr. Momodu T. Nyassi, deputy director of Health Services at the Ministry on behalf of the Minister of Health, commended UNFPA for the supported extended to the government of The Gambia through the Ministry by providing a State-of-the-Art Maternity Ward at the Serrekunda Health Centre.
“The Minister of Health has asked me to convey his greetings and thanks to the UNFPA family their continued support they have been giving to the ministry. This is all geared towards improving maternal and child health and reduce if not eliminate maternal mortality in the country.” he added.
Also speaking, Ndey Ramou Sarr, UNFPA representative in the country, acknowledged that Serrekunda Health Centre is one of the busiest health facilities in the country; attending to the health needs of over 123,000 people.
“In this health facility at least 300 deliveries are recorded per month.”
UNFPA resident rep reminded that the health facility is in a densely populated area and therefore investing and improving the condition of the facility and ensuring that every patient receive treatment at the highest possible standard, is an understatement.
She recalled that sometime in 2020, the Minister Health and officials from the UNFPA conducted a joint tour of the facility and after seeing the challenges women faced in giving birth, they saw the need of improving delivery and quality of care at the centre.
Louis Sarkis from Association of Forex Exchange Bureaux (ALFOB) was the guest speaker. The event ended with inspection of the new maternity ward by dignitaries.
