By Sering Mass Jallow
President Adama Barrow Saturday inaugurated the National Emergency Treatment Centre and Biomedical Engineering Unit at Farato, describing the facility as a major step towards strengthening The Gambia’s healthcare system.
The facility, commissioned through the Ministry of Health, was jointly funded by the Government of The Gambia and the World Bank Group.
The first phase of the project provides 104 operational beds, including 84 specialized observation beds and 20 intensive care unit (ICU) beds equipped with modern medical technology. It forms part of a planned 1,500-bed healthcare complex.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, security chiefs and local government representatives.
Speaking at the event, President Barrow said the completion of the facility would help restore public confidence in the country’s healthcare system.
He called for the expansion of specialized medical services at the center, including kidney transplantation, cancer treatment and open-heart surgery.
“When these potentials are realized, they will position The Gambia as a regional hub for quality healthcare and treatment,” the President said, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to completing the 1,500-bed complex.
The World Bank Country Representative to The Gambia, Dr Franklin Mutahakana, commended the longstanding partnership between the World Bank Group and the Gambian government.
He said the institution was proud to support the project as part of efforts to improve access to quality healthcare services.
Mutahakana stressed that sustaining the facility would require skilled personnel, regular maintenance, efficient supply chains and a strong culture of quality and accountability.
“Infrastructure alone does not save lives. Buildings must be matched with skilled personnel, reliable maintenance, efficient supply chains and a culture of quality and accountability,” he said.
When fully operational, the National Emergency Treatment Centre is expected to provide specialized emergency care, improve access to advanced medical services and reduce the need for overseas referrals, particularly for patients in the West Coast Region and other parts of the country.