Gambiaj.com – (Kotu, The Gambia) – The Ministry of Health has issued a statement addressing concerns surrounding the proposed maternity ward project in Chamen village, Central River Region. The statement seeking to clarify recent developments and ensure transparency accuses the project initiators of lack of a timeline for the project’s commencement.
According to the ministry’s statement, signed Michael Manga Mendy, Director, Health Promotion, clearance was granted on July 22, 2024, to the Gambian Diaspora Association to construct a maternity ward at the Chamen Health Center in Nianija District. However, the lack of a timeline for the project’s commencement led the ministry to pursue alternative funding opportunities in the interim.
“Since there was no indication of when the Diaspora Group will commence work, in the interim, a grant was secured from the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the National Social Protection Secretariat to build new structures and renovate existing ones of the entire health centre“, the ministry of Health statement reads.
The Ministry of Health’s decision to halt the construction of a much-anticipated maternity ward in Chamen has drawn widespread criticism from Gambians both at home and abroad. The project, which had received considerable backing from the Gambian diaspora, was expected to address the pressing need for better maternal healthcare in the rural region.
Some of the founders of the diaspora-led initiative argued that the suspension reflects a troubling trend of deprioritizing rural healthcare infrastructure. “This project wasn’t just about building a structure; it was about saving lives,” said one of the representatives.
“It’s disheartening to see our women in labor, pregnant for 9 months just to lose their lives trying to give birth. It is painful. These women are carried on donkey carts and bicycles, and before an ambulance comes to their aid, some of them lose their lives.”
Momodou Cham, the village coordinator in Chamen, added that these are tragedies that could be prevented with the establishment of the maternity.
In its press statement, the Ministry of Health, however, explained that the grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB), facilitated by the National Social Protection Secretariat, was secured to construct new structures and renovate existing ones at the Chamen Health Center.
This decision, the Ministry explained, was not intended to dismiss the efforts of the Gambian Diaspora Association but was deemed a strategic move to address broader healthcare needs in the area.
“The AfDB initiative offers extensive support for rural health facilities, including construction and renovation work covering multiple communities within the region,” the statement read. It emphasized that prioritizing the AfDB grant allows for greater sustainability and impact for Chamen and neighboring areas.
The ministry expressed gratitude for the Gambian Diaspora Association’s contributions to healthcare development and reaffirmed its willingness to collaborate. “We encourage the association to redirect their support to other areas in need,” the statement noted.
This clarification is far from convincing Chamen villagers, who hope for more transparency and communication moving forward to address their concerns and ensure their healthcare needs are met. This sentiment is also shared amidst the general population, sparking calls for greater accountability and oversight in healthcare decision-making processes.
According to Dr. Satang Nabaneh, a social justice advocate and human rights practitioner, she stated it is commendable that the government has secured external funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to renovate the Chamen Health Center and that the Diaspora Club has also raised funds to construct a maternity ward. However, “the intended project for the maternity ward is crucial, especially in addressing the maternal mortality crisis and the challenges of accessing medical and health services in rural areas.”
She said in the spirit of fairness and transparency, “It would be appropriate for the government to inform all stakeholders, including the Diaspora Club, about the amount of funding received and the projected timeline for the project’s completion. This transparency would provide much-needed assurance and foster trust among all parties involved.”
