By Mariam Williams
Officials of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Friday, 6th December, 2019 took delivery of the 20ft container of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, from ChildFund-The Gambia, through MAP International medical supplies and pharmaceuticals in their “Gifts in Kind” programme.
Speaking at the ceremony, ChildFund’s Country Director, Mrs. Musukuta Komma, reminded them of the Fund’s long-standing history with the Gambia’s health sector.
“We have previously supplied health facilities with medicaments, TOM shoes and children’s clothing,” she recalled, adding the ceremony had reinforced ChildFund’s core intent of helping deprived, excluded and vulnerable children with the capacity to improve their lives, and the opportunity to become young adults, parents and leaders who bring lasting and positive change in their communities.
Madam Komma expressed their confidence that the items would make a huge difference in their collective efforts to ensure quality, affordable and accessible healthcare delivery in the Gambia. She noted that since ChildFund opened its doors to the Gambian people in 1984, the health sector remains their critical area of focus.
The Country Director highlighted some of the achievements registered by her institutions over years, which included not only building clinics but equipping such facilities with essential drugs and providing services to children, and by extension, other community members.
The Fund’s top official in the country cited their local partners as Foni Ding Ding and Saama Kairo Federations, noting they work across 32 community associations within the West Coast Region, to ensure positive outcome for children, particularly the core outcome of their Llife Stage 1-which is Health and Secure Infants.
Komma further referred to their Responsive or Inclusive Parenting Education Programme that is being implemented in partnership with UNICEF Gambia and Dubai Cares, and operating in 30 communities across Lower River Region, Central River Region and North Bank Region; that it’s taking proper handwashing, clean environment, birth registration, infant welfare services, safe pregnancy and delivery, coupled with regular health check-ups, as issues of cardinal importance.
Other speakers at the handing over ceremony included, Director of National Laboratory Services-Ministry of Health, Ignatius Baldeh; Director of Planning at Ministry of Youth and Sports, Musa Mbye, and Board Chair of ChildFund, Lamin Marong, spoke on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Micheal Brown- MAP International.
