Introduction:
The healthcare system in Gambia is built around 3 levels which are
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. There are to date 4 referral
hospitals which are operated by the
government. In addition there are
8 main health centres and a further 16 smaller centres, 200 plus
mobile clinic unit teams as well as the Medical Research Council which
is funded by the UK Government. There are also a number of
privately
run clinics as well as a few health focused NGOs operating in Gambia.
Primary Health Care:
This is
focused on villages with a population of over 400 individuals where a Village Health Worker and Traditional Midwife would be initially
trained then assigned to deliver primary health care to their village
of responsibility. They are responsible for providing out-patient
care, community health education, ensuring there is a sufficient level
of essential medicines and home visitations. Apart from the assisting
mothers to be in home births the mid-wife would refer any mothers who
seem to be at risk to the local health centres.
Secondary Health Care:
At this
level medical care is provided by the large and small health centres.
There is around 7 main government-run / private health centres, 12
smaller centres and 19 pharmacies, with each providing in-patient and
out-patient treatment. Each has its resident nurses, doctors and
ancillary staff.
Tertiary Health Care:
At this 3rd level health services are delivered by 4 main referral
hospitals, the Medical Research Council (MRC), several private clinics
and NGO operated clinics. The main referral hospital is at the RVTH in
the capital on Independence Drive. The
other 3 are located at Bansang, Farafenni and Bwiam.
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Health care facilities are relatively sparse in The Gambia
though new health clinics are being built up country.
The centrepiece of the Gambian health care system is the
Royal Victoria Teaching
Hospital in Banjul.
The Gambia has
no formal medical school so all of the doctors staffing the
hospital are trained in other countries.
List of Health Centres:
• Bakau
•
Banjulinding
• Basse
•
Brikama
• Fajikunda
• Farafenni
• Gunjur
•
Jammeh Foundation
Hospital
• Janjanbureh
• Leman Street (Banjul)
• Mansakonko
•
Polyclinic (RVH Banjul)
• Serrekunda
• Sibanor
• Sukuta
•
Sulayman Junkung Hospital,
Bwiam
Clinics &
Hospitals:
• AfricMed
Ltd.
•
Bijilo Medical Center
• Kololi Clinic
• Lamtoro Medical Center
• Royal Victoria Hospital
• Swedent Clinic (Dentists)
• Westfield Clinic
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