Our Strengthening Emergency Care programme (SEC) in The Gambia
95% survival rate thanks to our Strengthening Emergency Care Programme (SEC)
Improving the health system for mothers and children in The Gambia: read about our an interim evaluation in the Reproductive Health Journal (Sept 2010)
About The Gambia
The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa. It has an estimated population of 1,700,000 and its capital is Banjul. The country is divided up into six divisions and then into 48 districts. According to the UNDP’s (United Nations Development Programme) human development index ranking for 2009, The Gambia ranks 168 out of 182. The risk of maternal death is one in 32.
About the programme
Our work in The Gambia is part of the our Strengthening Emergency Care programme (SEC). Our Strengthening Emergency Care programme (SEC) is a sustainable whole system programme for the
emergency care of pregnant women, newborn infants and children in countries where there is extreme
poverty.
Since 2007 we have trained more than 800 doctors, nurses and community health workers. Doctors and nurses have been trained on the EMNH (Emergency Maternal and Neonatal Health) course and the ECTH (Emergency Child Trauma Health) course. These courses are 6 days in total. We have also run 2 day courses for Traditional Birth Attendants and Village Health Workers. View our teaching materials which include the manuals and pocket books we provide each candidate as part of the courses
We first began the programme in the Western River Region and Brikama Major Health Centre (read the independent evaluation). We are currently working in the Upper River Region and Basse Major Health Centre. Both regions have involved training, renovation of wards in the health centres, the provision of medical equipment and advocacy for the supply of essential drugs. We have also set up a 'Flying Squad', which consists of two skilled nurses/midwives and a driver who are on-call 24/7 with an equipped ambulance to attend to emergencies in the villages and communities. The nurses/midwives are equipped with a Portable Emergency Kit- view a full list of the contents
We are now looking for funding to replicate the programme in the next region - North West Bank Region and Essau Major Health Centre.
Mariettou in The Gambia
Mariettou’s baby was delivered at home with the help of her Traditional Birth Attendant. She said “I feel proud and glad for TBAs to receive training. I feel comforted that I can trust her and speak to her”.
Dr Sophie Haynes, Bansang Hospital, The Gambia
Dr Haynes, volunteer doctor working at Bansang Hosptial for 6 months to help improve maternal health care, pictured with Abdou Jallow (local Community Nurse Officer)