The Daily Observer (Banjul)
8 July 2009
editorial
The most efficient resource for producing the sustainable socio-economic transformation of any nation is a healthy populace. In fact, the health status of the people of any given nation is in itself an indicator of growth and progress since it can be a parameter to gauge the participation of their development process. As such, any government investing in the health needs of a nation can be regarded as investing in sustainable development, hence, a responsible and responsive government.
It is such a government that the July 22nd revolution gave birth to in The Gambia. Since taking the mantle of leadership of the country, President Jammeh has greatly improved the health situation of the country. The government has over the years registered significant progress in improving the health status of Gambians.
The rapid expansion of hospitals across the country equipped with modern medical facilities and highly trained doctors, particularly those from Cuba, have greatly improved the health status of Gambians and non-Gambians in the country. The move by the ministry to set standards for the selling of hygienic street food, the monthly Operation Clean the Nation - to make our environments fit and conducive for habitation, just to mention a few, are blatant evidence that the government is sparing no efforts in ensuring that we live a healthy life and in a healthy environment.
More importantly, since President Jammeh gave Gambian women free maternal health services, our maternal health sector has gradually been growing from strength to strength. Most of our women are now safe from the complications that characterize labor in the absence of adequate medical care. Even though there is still much to be done to improve on the conditions of the present state, the truth remains that the dynamic leadership of President Jammeh has put health at the utmost priority of our development process.
Development is not an end in itself; it is a means to achieving an end. As such, its process is gradual. We have to understand that the government alone cannot accomplish such a task. The intervention of other partners and stakeholders is fundamental. President Jammeh is doing every thing possible to ensure that The Gambia moves towards a healthy nation. Complementing his efforts in that respect is in the best interest of nation building.
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