The Gambia News

Banjul, The Gambia - In a significant stride towards bolstering healthcare initiatives in The Gambia, the World Health Organization (WHO) welcomed Dr. Jane Maina as its new interim Country Representative. Dr. Maina's arrival marks a pivotal moment in the nation's healthcare trajectory, bringing with her a wealth of experience and expertise garnered from her extensive career in health emergency operations.

Farato, The Gambia - Public health leaders from across The Gambia gathered at the Farato Health Centre on Sunday to commemorate World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated action to combat the persistent threat of TB in Africa. The event, attended by esteemed representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health (MOH), highlighted both progress made and challenges faced in the ongoing battle against this infectious disease.

Banjul, The Gambia - In a poignant ceremony held at the State House in the country's capital, His Excellency President Adama Barrow bid farewell to Dr. Desta Tiruneh, the outgoing World Health Organization (WHO) representative in The Gambia. The event, attended with select WHO staff members, celebrated Dr. Tiruneh's transformative leadership during his tenure in the country.

Banjul, The Gambia - In a heartfelt gesture of recognition and gratitude, Dr. Desta Tiruneh, the esteemed WHO Representative for Gambia since 2017, was bid farewell with sincere regards by His Excellency, Vice President Muhammad B. S. Jallow, ahead of his departure from The Gambia to Zimbabwe to undertake his new role as WHO Country Representative. This significant dispatch marks the end of Dr. Tiruneh's tenure in The Gambia, where he has left an indelible mark on the nation's health landscape.

Basse Santa Su, The Gambia - In a transformative initiative, community health workers in The Gambia are undergoing specialized training facilitated by a dedicated team of psychiatric nurses. The focus of this program is to equip these frontline heroes with the skills and knowledge outlined in the WHO Mental Health GAP (mhGAP) Treatment Intervention Guide.

Banjul – Two years ago The Gambia carried out an analysis to better tackle the threat of antimicrobial resistance. The analysis, the country’s first of its kind, revealed a rising trend in multi-drug resistant tuberculosis as well as growing pathogen resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics. Babanding Sabally, Director of National Pharmaceutical Services in the Ministry of Health, explains the measures being undertaken to address this public health problem.

Banjul, The Gambia - On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) Gambia Office commemorated the 75th anniversary of the WHO, reflecting on its birth in 1948 and the tremendous achievements that have shaped global health over the past seven decades. Established with the vision to promote health, ensure global safety, and serve the vulnerable, WHO has been instrumental in advancing the highest level of health and well-being for everyone, everywhere.

Banjul, The Gambia – In a landmark event held in The Gambia, a four-day capacity-building workshop on integrated polio surveillance recently concluded, signaling a pivotal moment in the African Region's commitment to eradicating the polio virus. The workshop aimed to equip participants with advanced skills and strategies necessary for the early detection and swift response to polio cases across the continent.

Banjul, The Gambia - On a rain-soaked morning, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office presented a significant consignment of medical equipment, cutting-edge laptops, and computer tablets to enhance the surveillance system and data management at the Ministry of Health. Among the donated items were two pediatric Hemodialysis machines, 93 laptop computers, 78,000 bottles of paracetamol syrup, laboratory equipment, creatinine assay kits, 153 computer tablets, patient monitors, ventilators, and oxygen concentrators.

Bwiam, The Gambia - In a poignant ceremony held at Bwiam General Hospital, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Services, World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO), marked World Blood Donor Day. This global event, observed on June 14, underscored the pivotal role of WHO in championing the cause of blood donation and its indispensable role in saving lives.