Gambiaj.com – (NIANIJA, The Gambia) – President Adama Barrow has inaugurated two new health posts in Balanghar Jaloto and Buduk in the Central River Region (CRR) North as part of his ongoing nationwide tour, with the government seeking to bring basic healthcare closer to communities in remote areas.
The President also handed over an ambulance to residents of Lower Saloum and commissioned a 12-kilometer section of the Njau Loop road, describing the investments as part of his government’s efforts to improve access to essential services and strengthen emergency response.
Bringing healthcare closer
Speaking at Nianija, President Barrow said the construction of health posts in remote communities was driven by the need to reduce the distance residents, particularly women, have to travel to access healthcare.
“Because people travel a long distance to access health facilities. That’s why we decided to build health posts in remote areas so that the women can access health facilities easily, and also it can help in their welfare,” he said.
The two facilities are expected to provide communities with more accessible basic health services while reducing the burden of long-distance travel to larger health centres.
Barrow said improving rural healthcare was closely linked to the government’s broader infrastructure programme, particularly road construction, which he said was making previously isolated communities more accessible.
Nianija’s changing fortunes
The President highlighted Nianija as an example of a community that had historically faced major challenges because of poor road access.
“Nianija was considered the poorest district for that matter because it was not accessible. Today you can come to Nianija easily,” Barrow said.
He argued that the construction of roads and health facilities should be viewed as interconnected social investments aimed at addressing longstanding challenges faced by rural communities.
“Basically, these are all health facilities running on roads. They are social projects, social projects that will definitely go a long way in addressing some of the people’s challenges,” he said.
Ambulance for Lower Saloum
The handover of an ambulance to Lower Saloum is expected to strengthen emergency medical response in the area, particularly for patients requiring urgent transportation to higher-level health facilities.
The government said the combination of new health posts, improved roads, and emergency transport infrastructure is intended to improve timely access to healthcare and contribute to saving lives.
The projects form part of President Barrow’s broader infrastructure and social development program, with rural communities continuing to be a major focus of government investment in basic services.
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