The Gambia has introduced a Presidential Initiative for the Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality, alongside a national roadmap aimed at enhancing healthcare services and addressing social and economic factors contributing to preventable maternal deaths. Launched at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo, the initiative was spearheaded by Vice President Mohammed B.S. Jallow, representing President Adama Barrow. This collaborative effort with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other partners seeks to strengthen political commitment and improve access to quality maternal healthcare.
Vice President Jallow emphasized that the initiative represents a landmark commitment to protecting the lives and rights of women and girls. He noted that while The Gambia has made progress in reducing maternal mortality, from approximately 400 to 289 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2013 and 2019-2020, more work remains to prevent avoidable deaths and improve maternal health outcomes. Jallow highlighted that maternal mortality is not solely a clinical issue but also involves social justice, human rights, and governance.
The Vice President identified several factors contributing to maternal deaths, including inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited investment in reproductive health services, gender inequality, harmful social practices, and climate-related challenges. He cited government investments in primary healthcare, reproductive health services, and emergency obstetric and newborn care, as well as efforts to recruit midwives and strengthen rural healthcare services. Jallow emphasized that women should have access to essential healthcare regardless of their financial situation.
UN Resident Coordinator Karl Frederick Paul stated that maternal survival is a fundamental indicator of a country’s social and economic development. He explained that maternal deaths and severe complications during childbirth have far-reaching consequences for families, affecting household productivity and the health, education, and future opportunities of surviving children. Paul noted that the United Nations system is working collectively to address maternal mortality through various interventions.
UNFPA Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Dr. Sennen Hounton, stressed that preventing maternal deaths requires more than medical treatment. He emphasized that women need skilled midwives, reliable emergency transport, functioning blood banks, equipped operating theatres, and uninterrupted electricity to receive life-saving care. Hounton noted that communities and governments must work together to ensure that women can access healthcare facilities on time and receive quality treatment.
Dr. Hounton added that most maternal deaths are preventable with the right interventions and adequate investment. He called for stronger involvement from local councils, governors, traditional leaders, and religious authorities in promoting maternal health accountability. The initiative aims to coordinate action across government institutions, development partners, communities, and the private sector to address maternal mortality.
The launch of the Presidential Initiative for the Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality marks a significant step towards reducing maternal deaths in The Gambia. The government, in collaboration with partners, is committed to implementing the national roadmap and addressing the social and economic factors contributing to maternal mortality.
Key points
- The Gambia launches a Presidential Initiative to reduce maternal mortality and improve healthcare services.
- The initiative aims to strengthen political commitment and improve access to quality maternal healthcare.
- The government and partners are working together to address the social and economic factors contributing to maternal mortality.
