GAMBIA GOVERNMENT-SIGNS HEALTH AGREEMENT WITH DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
The Government of the Gambia through the Ministry Health signed an agreement with development partners called Gambia Health Compact.
This Compact, sets out the understanding and agreement between the Government of the Gambia and its health partners, aim to accelerate the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UNC) that will lead to improve an equitable health outcomes for all citizens, through the National Health Sector Strategic Plan 2014-2020 (NHSSP) and the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2021, in line with the UNC2030 Global Compact.
This was held at a signing ceremony on Wednesday 17th April 2019, at a local hotel in Kololi.
Dr. Isatou Touray, the Vice President in her statement, said the day mark another giant step towards successfully implementing the road mark, adding “we have collectively put together to realize the aspirations in the National Development Plan (NDP) of 2018-2021.
She added the NDP has outlined better health for Gambian and improving health services, as one of the strategic priorities for urgent actions.
“Health is unquestionable”, she said, adding that it is a critical enabler which we cannot realize our development goals.
She noted the health and wellbeing of Gambian cannot be accomplished without the health minister working in isolation.
“by endorsing the compact, Dr. Touray said, the government is testifying to the importance it places on improving to wellbeing and welfare of all Gambian, she describe the signing ceremony by the government and development as in the right direction.
“No single institution can address the challenges in the health sector; hindering process towards Universal Health Coverage.
All branches of my government are in full support of this initiative as we view access to health as fundamental human rights; adding that health remains as one of the essential pillars of the national development plan.
She underscore that healthy population are critical for sustainable development to ending poverty, promoting peaceful and inclusive societies and protecting the environment.
She applauded the WHO, UN systems, development partners particularly directly or indirectly supporting the health sector in particular, she concludes.
Dr. Ahmad Lamin Samateh the minister of health said the day is important for the health sector, as it mark a turning point in the health care delivery system.
He highlighted the principles of the International Health Partnership and allied initiatives; otherwise IHP+ Global Compact is build on, such as the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, 2008 Accra Agenda for Action among others.
“It would be important to note that the document being presented here today for signing, has passed through all formal stages of preparation and has secured Cabinet’s Approval”, he said.
Dr. Samateh said the ministry of health under the leadership of his Excellency Adama Barrow is making all efforts to fulfill the IHP + Monitoring Framework and it is for this reason he said, that ministry is working hard to ensure the implementation of the national health financing policy.
He urge all health development partners both current and potential, all implementing partners including non- governmental organizations, private and civil society actors in the health and health related sectors to take a deep reflection on the IHP + Monitoring Framework.
Other speakers include Dr. Desta Tiruneh country representative World Health Organization (WHO).
