The Hon. Minister of Health Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh and the Senior Management of the Ministry of Health with support from the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) are working hard to make Essau District Hospital fully operational. It would be recalled that the Ministry of Health through a directive from the Honourable Minister posted Gambian and Cuban Doctors in various field of specialization to Essau District Hospital.
The Ministry of Health noted that the theatre and various units including staff accommodation need to be available and as such UNFPA have been approached to support the expansion and renovation work at the Hospital and the response from UNFPA was indeed positive.
The renovation works at the theatre and Cuban staff quarters of Essau District Hospital under the auspices of the UNFPA through the dynamic leadership of the Ministry of Health and the work is near completion.
As part of monitoring of the progress on the expansion and renovation work at Essau District Hospital, the Ministry of Health team and UNFPA embark on regular site visits to check on the progress of the refurbishment of the Operating Theatre and Staff Headquarters supported by the UNFPA through the Ministry of Health.
During the regular visits to Essau District Hospital the UNFPA Country Representative Mr Kunle Adeniyi and the project team engaged the District Chiefs, Alkalo and some members of the community on the sustainability of the project and how the UNFPA and the Ministry of Health can support the development of Essau and neighboring communities. The full operationalization of Essau District Hospital is to ensure no woman dies while giving birth in the area.
The Ministry of Health is indeed grateful to the Officer in Charge Mrs Sera Conteh, Dr. Ebou Mbowe the Resident Doctor and Mr Lamin Fofana the Nurse Administrator of the Hospital for the hard work in providing health care services to the population in the catchment area. In addition the efforts of the Regional Directorate of Health Services in the coordination of the expansion and renovation work is indeed appreciated by the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Health is working hard to revitalize and strengthen the existing structures and as well as upgrade some of the health facilities to offer the delivery of obstetric and gynaecology services to save the lives of women especially during childbirth.
The overall objective of the Ministry of Health is to ensure ZERO MATERNAL DEATH and this cannot be achieved without the full participation and support of the communities, families and individuals.
The participation of communities, families and individuals is required to promote early antenatal booking, prompt and early health care seeking and as well as supporting early referrals especially from community level to health facilities.
