By Yunus S Saliu
The Minister of Health has renewed the Ministry of Health commitment to data-driven decision-making to further improve health outcomes for all.
Dr Momodou Lamin Sammateh made this resolved at the ongoing 3-day 2022 Joint Annual Health Sector Review forum holding at the Sir Dawda Kairaba International Conference Center, Bijilo.
The Minister welcoming the partners, health officials and stakeholders to the forum enunciated that “today, we renew our commitment to data-driven decision-making, evidence-based policy formulation, and improved health outcomes for all.”
Applauding the gathering, he said it represents a critical milestone in the journey towards ensuring equitable access to healthcare services and achieving Universal Health Coverage (UCH) in The Gambia.
In togetherness, he said “we reaffirm our commitment to accountability, transparency, and continuous learning, as we strive to provide quality healthcare services for every citizen and resident of our beloved nation.”
Minister Sammateh, however, appreciated all the directors, coordinators, program managers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to make the meeting possible, saying, “your dedication and hard work are essential to the success” of the country’s healthcare system and the well-being of The Gambian population.
He dilated on this year’s Joint Annual Health Sector Review meeting theme – Equitable access to national health insurance to enhance quality health care and the attainment of Universal Health Coverage, saying it is pertinent since the government established the National Health Insurance Authority in 2022, with a collective goal of ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to accessing quality healthcare services.
Dr Sammateh disclosed that the cabinet approved the National Health Sector Policy 2021-2030 with the theme building partnerships for quality healthcare for all. “The implementation of this policy is guided by the validated national health sector strategic plan 2021-2025 and the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan 2021-2025 will be the backbone of our accountability and learning processes,” he added.
The Gambia’s journey towards UHC, the Minister said, is challenging, but it is also a journey filled with hope and determination and it requires “cooperation, collaboration, and a shared vision among all stakeholders,” while encouraging them to reflect on the progress, acknowledge their achievements, land recognise areas that need further attention.
Despite some challenges, he said numerous achievement were made which include the successful launching of the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (ECRVS), development and approval of the national health sector policy, successfully implemented a series of Covid-19 vaccination campaigns in the country, construction of five new health facilities (ChissayMajaw, Mankamang Kunda, Salikenni, Kiang Jali, and Tumanna), Construction of a new MDR TB Center in New Yundum, provision of Grade A cold chain systems for vaccine storage at health facilities and development of Gambia Anti-microbial Resistant National Action Plan among others.
The Health Minister thanked HE Adama Barrow for giving high priority to the health sector, he as well registered his profound appreciation to all development partners namely: WHO, UNICEF, World Bank, Global Fund, UNDP, UNFPA, WFP, IOM, USAID, PMI and others for the continuous technical and financial support to the health sector.
Mohammed Lamin Jaiteh, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health welcomed and thanked the participants for turning up in their large numbers to attend the annual joint meeting organised by the Ministry of Health and partners.
He said the event has become a tradition where they provide information to their partners, stakeholders, and general population at large to review their performances of the past year, “an opportunity we highly cherished.”
Momodou Gassama, rep of WHO applauded the Ministry of Health led by Hon Ministry Dr Ahmadou Lamin Sammateh for their achievements during the year under review.
He reflected on the achievement and performance of the country’s health sector of the country saying the latest report published in September 2022 with s the survey was done through literature, policy review, consultation and others revealed that out of 43 countries 33 scored in two important performance index quality health service deliver and overall performance of the health secotr 33 scored 60% and above gambia 62% for quality.