By Awa Sowe
The health sector strategic focus in The Gambia is anchored on the National Health Policy, which is linked to the country’s development agenda .The strategic plan is geared towards progressive reorientation of the health services to deliver quality healthcare as a means to achieving the envisaged socio-economic development of The Gambia, as enshrined in the PAGE, The Gambia incorporated, and in line with the Millennium Development Goal (MDG).
The Strategic Plan (NHSSP) aims to transform The Gambia into a globally competitive and prosperous country with a high quality of life, through transforming the country from a third world country into an industrialized middle income country. Its actions are grounded in the principles of the 1997 constitution, specifically aiming to attain the right to health, and to decentralize health services management through a devolved system of governance.
The Directorate of Planning and Information under the Ministry of Health (MOH) with support from UN partners recently validated the National Health Sector Strategic Plan 2021-2025.
The document, according to health officials, would now serve as a guide to health care workers in The Gambia. It is also expected to provide an impetus and new direction, thus ensuring universal health coverage in the country.
Deputy Director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr Momodou T. Nyassi, began by referencing a popular adage: ‘failure to plan is planning to fail’. “So, in order for us not to fail, we need to plan ahead, give this document the necessary input needed for the interest of the Ministry of Health and the country at large,’’ he noted.
Dr. Nyassi spoke highly of the accomplishment registered by the Ministry, but pointed out that they still have some more areas to develop. “In order to have a good plan,” he explained, “we need to look at up to date achievements, targets and challenges”.
He thanked the team and consultants for doing justice to the document by highlighting and incorporating key achievable targets in the next four years.
Representing the Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Kassa Mohammed, congratulated the MOH particularly the Directorate of Planning and Information on their achievement, adding that, due to COVID -19, a lot of countries in Africa did not seem to focus on strategic issues like planning; rather, many focused on fighting the pandemic.
He described the move as a good sign of recovery from the impacts of Covid-19 and commended the ministry and stakeholders for putting heads together to get the document.
Project coordinator, Mam Abdoulie Njie expressed delight at working with the team in this policy document.
Permanent Secretary 2, MOH, Mr Lamin Dampha also affirmed that the strategic plan will guide the implementation of new health sector policy 2021 to 2030 and serve as a guide to health care workers in The Gambia. He said it will also reduce the burden on health care expenditure, thus ensuring universal health coverage in the country.
