By Halimatou Jallow
A major milestone for The Gambia’s healthcare system was marked in Lamin on 10th April 2026 as officials from the Ministry of Health, with support from the Global Fund and UNDP Gambia, broke ground for a new Central Medical Stores Warehouse. The facility is widely regarded as a critical investment in the country’s health sector, aimed at addressing longstanding inefficiencies in medical supply chains that have hindered service delivery nationwide.
The ceremony officially launched the construction of the warehouse, which is expected to significantly transform the management and distribution of medical supplies across the country. The project forms part of broader efforts to strengthen national health infrastructure, following extensive assessments and planning to identify key gaps in the logistics system. Designed as more than just a storage facility, the warehouse will serve as a modern, centrally coordinated hub to ensure the efficient movement of medicines from central stores to even the most remote health facilities.
Its primary objectives include improving the efficiency of medicine distribution, safeguarding valuable medical supplies from damage or loss, and ensuring the consistent availability of essential drugs. By addressing weaknesses in the existing supply chain, the facility will help prevent disruptions that have historically impacted patient care, including stock-outs of life-saving treatments for diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV. Enhanced climate control and advanced inventory tracking systems will also protect sensitive products like vaccines and insulin from spoilage, reducing waste and preserving resources.
Equally significant is the completion of the National Administrative Services building, which will complement the warehouse’s operations. Constructed to enhance service delivery, the facility will house key logistics and procurement personnel responsible for coordinating orders, monitoring supply levels, and liaising with regional health teams. Together, the administrative building and the upcoming warehouse are expected to strengthen the backbone of the country’s health logistics system, creating a seamless link between administrative oversight and storage capacity.
Construction of the warehouse is scheduled for completion within six months, reflecting the urgency of the need. Once operational, it is expected to reduce medicine shortages, improve delivery times to health facilities, and promote equitable access to healthcare services across the country from urban centres in the Greater Banjul Area to remote communities in the Upper River Region.
In the long term, the project is set to advance The Gambia’s progress toward universal health coverage, ensuring that no patient is denied essential medicines. The Ministry of Health has expressed its deep appreciation to the Global Fund and UNDP
