The African Region is still dominated by very high prevalence of communicable diseases as well as high maternal and infant mortality in weak and fragmented health systems thus facing significant health challenges in spite of the multitude of stakeholders active in health.

It is in this regard that global health coordination initiatives such as the Harmonization for Health in Africa (HHA) and the International Health Partnership plus (IHP+), with WHO at the forefront continue to advocate for the development and implementation of sound and comprehensive national health policies, strategies and plans, to be the main guiding instruments at country level for achieving better health outcomes.

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOH&SW) in collaboration with WHO and other partners organized a five day workshop to kick start the process of developing a National Health Strategic Plan (NHSP), at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi, from 8-12 October 2013. The objective is to assist The Gambia Government in reforming its health sector in the context of owned policies, strategies and plans that strengthen health systems and improve health status of its population.

Officially launching this very important Forum, Hon. Omar Sey explained that the process of the development of the Gambia National Health Sector Strategic Plan document started in September 2013 and is expected to be finalized in January 2014. He added that the plan will bridge the gap between the health and non-health sectors. He noted that the plan will help the Ministry improve the public health system, and will also focus on prevention, protection, promotion, rehabilitation and treatment of common endemic diseases.

Minister Sey pointed out that in the absence of an operational framework, health services delivery efforts will be compromised, noting that for over a decade now the health sector has been operating without a National Health Strategic Plan that is linked to the National Health Policy. According to him, the absence of an operational tool has been a challenge not only to measure progress and achievements but also to adequately mobilize sufficient resources to effectively coordinate and harmonize government and donor support.

The WHO Representative Dr. Thomas Sukwa dilated on the health challenges in the Region noting that the health landscape in our countries is rapidly changing with increasing number of players and institutions active in health yet progress towards the attainment of health related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has been slow.

Dr. Sukwa highlighted that as a result of increase in health actors, which should have provided more opportunities for health services; duplication and fragmentation has ensued with negative consequences on the achievement of Universal Access and Coverage to quality health services.

He revealed that as a result health sectors now operate in a complex and dynamic landscape that require the need to improve the understanding of important issues with regard to health systems strengthening, coordination, harmonization, alignment and effectiveness in the context of National Health Policies, Strategies and Plans that are comprehensive, coherent and well balanced in both scope and depth in order to address the challenges faced by the health sector.

This he went on, has increased the urgency of putting in place National Health Strategic Plans and in this regard WHO is pleased to support the Government of The Gambia, through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, for the country to develop a sound National Health Strategic Plan following Cabinet’s endorsement of the National Health Policy (2012-2020)

He commended the competent team of facilitators convened by the WHO Country Office in collaboration with MOH&SW to guide the deliberations for a sound draft document as he reassured them of WHO’s full support and cooperation during this whole process.

The Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Matilda Bouy, in welcoming participants expressed her delight and appreciation to kick-start the process of developing a NHSP, using a multi-sectoral approach. She thanked participants present for honoring the invitation and WHO for providing both financial and technical support as well as the team that worked so hard to come up with a draft outline of the document.

The deliberations took the form of presentations, plenaries and group work and by the end of the five days 11 thematic groups have been identified to continue working on the specific objectives, strategies and main activities following the health situation analysis review.

Minister Sey opens National Health Sector Strategic

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For more details please contact:

Mr. Momodou Gassama, Health Promotion Officer-9331961 Ext. 30805, Office: 00220 4462283/84/86

Mr. George Williams-Health Information Assistant-9900248 Ext.30808

The WHO Gambia Office, New Kotu Layout P.M.B 170, Banjul, The GAMBIA