By 
Banjul – In a widely publicized, well-attended, and well-televised event, H.E. President Adama Barrow launched the “National Multi-Sectoral Strategy and Costed Action Plan” for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country. The five-year action plan – which was developed in partnership with the WHO, Defeat NCD Partnership and other health sector partners in the country – is a roadmap for how the country seeks to tackle the increasing burden of NCDs to the public health care system of The Gambia.
President Barrow highlighted the burden of NCDs globally and in The Gambia. “Each year, noncommunicable diseases kill nearly 41 million people globally, which is equivalent to 71% of all deaths worldwide,” President Barrow said in his speech, “In the Gambia, NCDs alone accounted for nearly 34% of all deaths registered in the country.”
During his speech, the WHO Representative, Dr. Desta Tiruneh, underscored the need for a multi-pronged, multi-sectoral, collaborative approach to realize the envisioned gains of this document. Speaking directly to the President, his cabinet members in attendance, and to other dignitaries in presence, Dr. Tiruneh emphasized, “With your presence, you are signaling to your fellow compatriots, as well as to the global audience, your commitment to tackle this burden of NCDs head-on.”
The message of collaboration and the spirit of teamwork that Dr. Tiruneh stressed in his speech was echoed throughout the event, with the Minister for Health, Hon. Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, acknowledging the tireless efforts of the WHO, Defeat NCD partnership, and other health partners in helping to draft the costed action plan for combatting NCDs in The Gambia, and counting on their continued support to realize the gains moving forward.
With the launch of this plan, The Gambia is building on its past efforts to fight the increasing burden of NCDs. And in each step of the way, WHO has been supporting the government of Gambia in this fight. From tobacco control, to road safety measures, to alcohol control policy, the WHO Gambia team has provided a wide range of support to our government counterparts.
Over the years, WHO has provided support in the development of the Tobacco Control Act, that not only generated a new stream of income for the government, but also directly contributed to lowering the importation and use of tobacco and tobacco-based products in the country. Furthermore, WHO supported the development of a five-year work plan for the National Tobacco Control Committee, and trained members to help further operationalize the nuances of the Tobacco Control Action Plan.
Similarly, after the WHO’s 2018 Global Alcohol Status Report identified The Gambia among the countries with the most years of life lost due to excessive alcohol consumption, the WHO Gambia team went to work to address this issue head on. To do so, the WHO team formed a partnership with the International Organization of Good Templars (IOTG) and mobilized funds from the West Africa Alcohol Alliance, to support the development and validation of a National Alcohol Policy 2021 -2026, which is expected to significantly reduce the problem alcohol abuse and overall alcohol consumption in the country.
WHO Gambia has also helped customize the WHO package of essential noncommunicable disease interventions (WHO-PEN) to improve the coverage of appropriate services for people with NCDs in the primary care settings within the country. In addition, WHO has provided technical support to the Ministry of Transport in the development of the Gambian “Road Safety Strategy,” to tackle the issue of road-related accidents and injuries, which is is the 7th highest cause of death among Gambians ages 5-49, and the 12th highest cause of disability.
Comments