Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Millions of dalasis allocated for mental health services in The Gambia went unspent over several years, according to information presented to the National Assembly by Health Minister Dr Ahmed Lamin Samateh.
The disclosure followed a question from the Member for Janjanbureh, Omar Jammeh, who requested details on annual budget allocations and actual spending on mental health between 2019 and 2025, as well as an update on the status of the draft Mental Health Bill.
Responding to lawmakers, Dr Samateh revealed that although funds were approved for mental health services in multiple years, only a small portion of the allocated budgets was utilised, while in some years no spending was recorded at all.
According to the minister, D2.15 million was allocated for mental health in 2019, but only D665,314 was spent. In 2020, the approved budget stood at D2.425 million, yet no expenditure was recorded from that allocation.
For 2021, D1.995 million was budgeted, but actual spending reached only D230,475. Similarly, in 2022, D2.2 million was approved for mental health services, but none of the funds were used.
Allocations increased significantly in 2023 to D6.55 million, though only D350,325 was spent during the year. In 2024, D3.74 million was allocated, but again no spending was recorded.
Spending improved in 2025 when D3.7 million was allocated and D3.3 million was utilised. For 2026, the budget allocation for mental health stands at D2,941,000.
Despite the low expenditure levels in previous years, Dr Samateh told lawmakers that mental health remains a serious concern for both the government and society. He noted that stigma surrounding mental illness continues to discourage many people from seeking treatment.
The minister also informed the Assembly that the draft Mental Health Bill has already been prepared by a contracted legal firm and is currently undergoing review before submission to Cabinet. Once approved by Cabinet, the bill will be tabled before the National Assembly for consideration.
Dr Samateh further noted that The Gambia currently has only one specialised mental health facility — the Tanka Tanka Psychiatric Hospital — which provides psychiatric services for the entire country.
While acknowledging that the hospital requires upgrading, he said the quality of services has improved in recent years with the recruitment of more qualified mental health professionals, including specialist psychiatrists and a professor who is helping train young doctors.
The minister also admitted that the supply of psychiatric medication has occasionally been a challenge, but said the ministry expects new supplies to arrive to ensure patients can continue their treatment.
During the session, Jammeh also raised concerns about rehabilitation services for people suffering from mental illness as well as those battling substance abuse.
Dr Samateh explained that rehabilitation forms part of modern mental health treatment, noting that recovering patients are often provided with vocational training and other activities to support their reintegration into society.
He added that the government is also collaborating with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, which is currently constructing a rehabilitation centre for individuals affected by substance abuse.
Lawmakers further questioned why funds approved for mental health programmes remained unspent in certain years.
In response, the health minister attributed the situation partly to challenges within the government’s programme-based budgeting system. He explained that although budgets are approved, funds earmarked for specific programme activities are not always released.
“We continue to work with the Ministry of Finance to address these bottlenecks,” Dr Samateh said, adding that the timely release of resources remains critical for the effective implementation of government programmes.
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