United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Ousainou Darboe has pledged to prioritize round-the-clock electricity supply for hospitals and improve maternal healthcare in Gambia. He described quality healthcare as a fundamental right that should be accessible to every Gambian, regardless of their location. Darboe made these statements during an exclusive interview with The Point at his Pipeline residence.
A UDP-led government would focus on equipping hospitals with reliable power and life-saving medical equipment, while intensifying public health education to reduce maternal and infant mortality. Darboe emphasized that expectant mothers and critically ill patients should not have their lives put at risk by power outages, inadequate healthcare facilities, or lack of specialized services in regional hospitals.
Darboe vowed to wage an uncompromising fight against corruption, mismanagement, and wasteful public spending, while pledging to restore accountability and transparency in government if elected president in the December presidential election. He maintained that his track record demonstrates a longstanding commitment to exposing corruption and holding governments accountable, having fought against corruption since 1996 under the former regime of Yahya Jammeh.
Darboe argued that corruption and poor governance have hindered national development and deprived citizens of the full benefits of the country's resources. He declared that corruption would have no place under a UDP administration, emphasizing that public funds would be directed towards sectors and programs that improve the lives of Gambians rather than being squandered on projects that offer little value to the population.
The veteran opposition leader reiterated his coalition's commitment to good governance, transparency, and institutional reforms, describing accountability as a cornerstone of his vision for national development. He stressed that no patient should have to worry about power outages during surgery, childbirth, or other life-saving treatments, adding that all major hospitals would be adequately powered to guarantee the safe delivery of healthcare services.
Darboe also underscored the need for intensified public health education, saying awareness campaigns should be strengthened to help citizens make informed decisions regarding maternal and child health. He emphasized that proper nutrition and adherence to medical advice are crucial, and that failure to do so can lead to complications during childbirth, which may result in the loss of the child or even the mother.
Darboe further pledged that a UDP administration would work tirelessly to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, declaring that no child should die during delivery because of preventable causes. He called for greater investment in existing healthcare facilities, arguing that improving current hospitals should take precedence over constructing new ones without addressing pressing capacity gaps, such as the lack of essential medical equipment in regional health facilities.
Key points
- UDP leader Ousainou Darboe pledges to prioritize reliable electricity supply in hospitals and improve maternal healthcare if elected president.
- Darboe vows to wage an uncompromising fight against corruption, mismanagement, and wasteful public spending.
- A UDP-led government would focus on equipping hospitals with reliable power and life-saving medical equipment, while intensifying public health education.
