Education and Health

Investing in our people through improved education and health services, and building a caring society

The Gambia has made modest advances in realizing the MDG targets on education, health, nutrition and WASH, but significant challenges remain. Under the plan,government will prioritize further investments to develop the country’s human capital through ensuring quality health and education, and making basic social services accessible and affordable to all and improving social and child protection systems for the most vulnerable.Education : Government under the plan will focus on (i) enhancing access to early childhood education, (ii) improving quality learning, with special emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Health, Agriculture and special needs at the basic, post-secondary/tertiary and higher education levels, promote TVET and other skills enhancing initiatives to match the job market; and (iii) take measures to enhance access to non-formal education in order to build a more skilled and productive work force.Health, Nutrition and WASH: Government will focus on reducing maternal and newborn mortality, reducing the burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and ensuring that the country has an appropriately skilled health workforce. The weak health governance and partnership framework will also be strengthened. In nutrition, government will take measures to improve the nutritional well being of all Gambians, paying attention to mothers and children, including the use of the Baby Friendly Community and Hospital Initiatives; Micronutrient Deficiency Control mechanisms; and use of IYCF practices to improve optimal infant and young child feeding.

Under WASH, the plan will address improved, equitable access to safe and affordable water and sanitation, good hygiene practices, and environmental protection for all. Social Protection : Key interventions on social protection will focus on building resilience and providing safety nets to address vulnerabilities by: Building Resilience through Social Transfer (BReST); cash transfer; improved leadership and coordination; strengthening child protection; and enhanced participation and economic empowerment of persons with disabilities.