Lawmakers just dropped a report showing Gambian hospitals stuff up to four newborns into a single incubator when things get busy. The neonatal unit runs with just 15 machines total, plus one radiant warmer, which forces moms to literally hold sick babies in their laps while waiting for equipment to free up.
The gender committee toured facilities across the country and found that Tanka Tanka psychiatric center treats patients from three countries, but only employs one social worker for 85 people. A fire-damaged building sits unrepaired after a suicide attempt, and the place lacks basic supplies like mattresses and ambulances.
Parliament wants the health ministry to buy more incubators immediately and partner with donors to fix infrastructure problems. Staff shortages hit every facility they visited, and the committee says chronic underfunding threatens vulnerable kids across the entire healthcare system.
The gender committee toured facilities across the country and found that Tanka Tanka psychiatric center treats patients from three countries, but only employs one social worker for 85 people. A fire-damaged building sits unrepaired after a suicide attempt, and the place lacks basic supplies like mattresses and ambulances.
Parliament wants the health ministry to buy more incubators immediately and partner with donors to fix infrastructure problems. Staff shortages hit every facility they visited, and the committee says chronic underfunding threatens vulnerable kids across the entire healthcare system.
