NDP-Led Alliance Pledges Referral Hospital in Every Region by 2031

By Fatou Sillah

The National Democratic Party (NDP) and its alliance partners have pledged to establish at least one well-equipped referral healthcare facility in every region of The Gambia by 2031 as part of their joint presidential manifesto.

The manifesto, launched on Wednesday at a hotel in Senegambia, outlines the alliance’s healthcare priorities for 2027–2031, focusing on improving access to medical services, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and addressing shortages of qualified health professionals.

Under the proposed reforms, the alliance promises to upgrade primary healthcare and referral facilities across the country while expanding the training, recruitment, and retention of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers.

“Increase functional healthcare facilities in all regions, with at least one well-equipped referral facility per region by 2031,” the manifesto states.

The alliance also aims to improve the ratio of healthcare workers to the population, targeting at least one health worker per 1,000 people by 2031.

As part of efforts to strengthen local healthcare capacity, the alliance pledges to establish a National Institute for Traditional and Indigenous Medicine by 2028 and begin local production of priority medicines by 2031.

The manifesto further outlines plans to improve the availability of essential medicines and medical supplies, expand digital health services, and strengthen emergency response systems.

It also proposes increased investment in medical research, particularly traditional and indigenous medicine, alongside measures to improve healthcare workers’ welfare and retention.

The alliance says its broader healthcare agenda will prioritize preventive care, expand access to affordable and quality medical services, and strengthen the country’s healthcare system to better serve communities nationwide.