Health care facilities are relatively sparse in The Gambia though new health clinics are being built up country.
Like most developing countries, preventable and treatable diseases like malaria, respiratory infections, diarrhoeal disease, malnutrition, and neonatal sepsis are largely responsible for childhood mortality and morbidity in The Gambia.
According to the MICS 2018 survey, under-five mortality in The Gambia is at 57 per 1,000 live births; infant mortality is at 41 per 1000 live births; and neonatal mortality is at 31 per 1,000 live births. There has been a steady decline in mortality rates, however for neonatal mortality (deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life) there has been a slight increase from the last 5 years from 28 to 31/1000 live births. This trend is worrying and needs urgent attention. The maternal mortality ratio is 433 per 100,000 live births, and accounts for 36 per cent of all deaths among women aged between 15 and 49 years old according to the demographic and health survey 2013.
In adults, the leading causes of inpatient deaths are maternal deaths, pneumonia, cerebrovascular accidents, trauma (especially road traffic injuries), hypertension, anaemia, diabetes, heart failure and cancer, whilst cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, diabetes, cancers and trauma are the common diseases in adults (2015
HMIS Service statistics).
According to WHO’s estimates, NCDs and injuries account for 41% of all deaths registered in the Gambia whilst the probability of dying between 30 and 70 years from the 4 main non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is 19%. The risk factors for NCDs are also a cause for concern with 15.6% of adults 25-84 years smoking; 1.2% drinking alcohol; 22% with low physical activity and 93% eating less than 5 servings of fruits and/or vegetables on average per day (WHO Steps 2010).
These statistics are compounded by a weak health sector, due to insufficient financial and logistical support, a deteriorating physical infrastructure, lack of supplies and equipment, shortages of adequately and appropriately trained health personnel, high attrition rates, and an inadequate referral system.
Despite the challenges, The Gambia continues to make gains in primary health care (PHC) coverage, especially in immunization coverage, to ensure protection from vaccine-preventable diseases. By 2015, The Gambia achieved the Millennium Development Goals for Infant Mortality Rate, Under-5 Mortality Rate, immunization coverage, proportion of population using an improved drinking water source, primary schools enrolment and reduction in Malaria disease burden.
Volunteer opportunities are many and varied with this health support programme - nursing and midwifery, physiotherapy, radiographers, lab technicians, radiographers, alternative therapists - all these skills and more will be welcome in this volunteer project. Whether you are in work and looking for a career break, or already retired, you can share your skills and experience with medical practitioners at this local hospital and health centre. Take a look at the list of needs, as identified by the project, near the top of this page. You can play your part in responsible volunteer projects abroad.
