Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Chief Medical Director of Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, Dr. Mustapha Bittaye, has defended the revised healthcare charges at public health facilities, including the increase in consultation fees from D25 to D100, saying the reforms are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of The Gambia’s healthcare system.
Speaking on the Coffee Time show about the new fee structure, Dr. Bittaye said the consultation fee had remained unchanged for decades before the recent adjustment was introduced as part of broader reforms in the health sector.
“This consultation we are talking about is D100; maybe 20 years ago it was D25,” he said.
Dr. Bittaye explained that the consultation fee does not only cover seeing a doctor but also contributes to the cost of medicines and other services provided at government health facilities.
According to him, the revised charges followed years of advocacy by health professionals who warned that the previous pricing structure was no longer sustainable due to rising operational costs and increasing pressure on healthcare services.
He argued that, despite the adjustments, public healthcare in The Gambia remains heavily subsidized compared to private medical services. He noted that private consultations and specialized procedures are significantly more expensive both within the country and across the sub-region.
The EFSTH chief also highlighted improvements in the public health sector, including the expansion of specialized services such as pediatric surgery, urology, and laparoscopic procedures, which he said have reduced the need for patients to travel abroad for treatment.
Dr. Bittaye said the reforms are aimed at strengthening service delivery, improving hospital efficiency, and supporting ongoing investments in medical infrastructure and specialist care.
He further linked the revised charges to the planned national health insurance scheme, saying the new pricing structure would help improve reimbursement mechanisms once the system becomes fully operational.
The new healthcare charges have sparked public debate, with many raising concerns over affordability amid rising living costs, while health officials maintain that the reforms are essential to sustaining and improving healthcare delivery in The Gambia.
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