By Mustapha Jallow
New Yundum’s over D6 million, approximately {€88,236} maternity ward on Saturday officially opened by Gambian health minister.
In a colorful ceremony held at the new premises, the ultra-modern facility was funded by Mama Africa for Gambia Foundation alongside its partners Wilde Ganze Fundation in Netherlands and New Yundum Village Development Committee (VDC).
A facility that will alleviate the suffering and discomfort of pregnant women during childbirth and other patients
The facility which aims to ease the burden and pains gripping pregnant women during delivery and other patients, accumulated 26 bed admission, 4 ultra-modern delivery rooms, 2 theater rooms, doctor’s consultation room, store room and among others.
It would also help provide health care services to catchment communities and even travelers. Opening was attended by officials from the health ministry, Governor of the regional, donors, Alkalous, chiefs, council of elders, community members, senior members of the security services, women groups and other invited guests.
Babading Sabally, deputy permanent secretary at the ministry of health, who had step-in for the minister to officiates the opening, underlined in his address the importance of having health facilities close to where people are and that MoH has contributed significantly in the provision of health care facilities in the country. He recognized the effort and collaborations made by the New-Yundum and its development partners, while telling them to also recognize that government cannot do it alone. The mission of the health ministry, according to Sabally, is provide quality, affordable and accessible health delivery for all within the context of primary healthcare. He also views the new structure as a primary health care, saying the ministry will do everything possible to strengthen primary care.
After calls by local people of New-Yundum, DPS Sabally further announced that the facility has met the criteria of upgrading to a major health center.
“We believe that no woman should die while giving birth. That’s the concept at the ministry of health. We also want to make sure this is happening through partnership and a force that will attract more funding into the health system,” he said.
Currently, he added: “Our standing in terms of maternity-mortality is about 200 and above out of 10 thousand deliveries. This is not acceptable at all. The ministry and the Gambia government are aware of this.
“Part of our strategic, we want this figure to be brought down to 70 per 10 thousand births. This is in line with the sustainable development goal. Therefore, are appealing to everyone, especially donors to come together and realize this goal because providing maternity services is not a one man’s responsibility, instead it is a collective responsibility.”
Ousman Bojang, the Alkalo of New Yundum, said the maternity came at a right time when his community was in dare need. He also thanked President Barrow’s government for donating ambulance to them for the transportation of pregnant women and other patients various hospitals during emergency.
He emphases’ the importance of a maternity Ward, which he states that is not only limited to pregnant women and childbirth but it also serve as pain control for delivery women, interventions when the baby is stuck among other importance.
Fatou Ceesay, the Officer In Charge (O.I.C) of health care also views the new-premises as a great initiative, saying this facility has a target population of 48,312 (GBoS 2013), so this will reduce the burden from our sister facilities in terms of delivery.
“Our labour rooms are spacious enough, well maintained privacy and conducive for husbands to be with their partners during delivery. Here at New Yundum Health center, we encourage men involvement during antenatal and child birth, because male partner participation in antenatal care services is vital if pregnant women are to fully utilize and benefit from the services offered,” she said.
Ceesay went to say that husbands, particularly in The Gambia, play a pivotal role in decision making within a home, and are often the breadwinners. Therefore, she added establishing their participation and support for reproductive health services utilization is critical.
Marieke van der Wal, the founder of the Mama Africa for Gambia Foundation in the Netherlands recalled when was when they heard sad stories about so much suffering during childbirth, because pregnant women could not give birth in a safe place here and often arrived too late at the nearest hospital or maternity clinic. She said such was one of the reasons why many women lost their children and often even their own lives.
“But thanks to the good support we received from both Wilde Ganzen and many other funds in the Netherlands, we succeeded,” she added.
