UN Agencies Conduct Joint Health Mission in The Gambia’s Central River Region

Strategic Scoping for Maternal and Child Health

From April 8–10, 2026, a high-level joint scoping mission was conducted in the Central River Region (CRR) of The Gambia. The mission brought together the “H6” partners—the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)—to engage directly with frontline health workers and regional authorities.

The primary objective was to assess the current realities of service delivery to inform the development of a new UN joint programme focused on improving maternal and child health outcomes.

Key Facilities and Assessment Areas

The joint team visited a wide array of health centers and hospitals, including Bansang, Brikamaba, Janjanbureh, Njau, Karantaba Tenda, Kudan, Kuntaur, and Kaur. The assessment focused on the core pillars of primary healthcare:

• Maternal, newborn, and child health.
• Reproductive health and family planning.
• Immunization and nutrition programs.
• Adolescent-friendly health services.

Findings: Strengths and System Gaps

The mission utilized the framework of the Ouagadougou Declaration on Primary Health Care, evaluating leadership, financing, workforce, and medical technologies.

Strengths

• Workforce Adequacy: The current health workforce was found to be sufficient to meet the present demands of the assessed facilities.
• Service Alignment: Service delivery capacity generally matches utilization patterns, specifically in deliveries and immunization coverage.
• Basic Supplies: Essential medical products and equipment were broadly available across the region.

Critical Gaps

• Oxygen Supply Crisis: At Bansang Government Hospital, the oxygen plant has been inoperable for over three months. This has forced the facility to procure oxygen from private providers at high costs, threatening the sustainability of critical clinical care.
• Operational Training: While products are available, there is a noted need for continued orientation of service providers to maximize the use of specialized health products.
• Community Engagement: Strengthening the link between facilities and the community is essential for improving routine service delivery.

Moving Toward Integrated Solutions

The findings emphasize that national health priorities must be grounded in “frontline realities.” Consistent with the 2026 World Health Day theme, “Together for Health: Stand with Science,” the mission highlighted several enablers for future success:

• Harmonized Planning: Reducing fragmentation between the Ministry of Health and international partners to improve system efficiency.
• Supportive Supervision: Moving beyond inspection toward continuous capacity building for frontline staff.
• Immediate Repairs: Prioritizing the repair of essential infrastructure, such as the Bansang oxygen plant, to secure life-saving services.

The data gathered during these three days will serve as the foundation for actionable interventions aimed at creating a more resilient and people-centered health system in The Gambia, ensuring that no mother or child is left behind.