The Gambia is a small country, just 30 miles wide and 300 miles in length, situated on the West African coast. The government strives to provide a health service but because of financial constraints the situation is often at crisis point.

There are only 3 hospitals that serve the whole country. Bansang Hospital stands deep in the African bush, and is responsible for the health care needs of about 600,000 Gambians. Additional strain is placed on its extremely limited resources with the constant arrival of patients from neighbouring countries, including Senegal, Mali, Guinea Bissau and Guinea.  There are also a significant number of refugees from Sierra Leone.

The hospital has 160 beds, but often three or more children will have to share a bed.  Most patients arrive with very serious illness.  Resources are stretched. The climate is hostile – with blistering hot temperatures in the dry season and high rainfall, leading to blocked roads and isolated villages, in the rainy season.

CMaD has been funding specific projects to help Bansang Hospital since 2006, when it funded an upgrade to the old, run down staff accommodation block for women. In 2007 CMaD funded medical equipment and beds for a new female ward, a project finally completed  in Dec 2008. There are now 43 beds for medical, surgical and gynaecological patients.

A recent quote from a visitor:
“It was thrilling for me to walk down the newly built corridor and to reach the end and see the magnificent new ward before me. The colour scheme is white with pale green marble effect tiles, a real breath of fresh air, new beds and equipment and smiles on the faces of all the staff and patients.”