The Ministry of Health (MoH) and its stakeholders are conducted a national intra-action review of the COVID-19 response with the support of World Health Organization (WHO). The review lasted six days, i.e., from 06 to 10 April 2021 and was held at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre. The review was aimed at improving the national response to COVID-19 and to  strengthen the capacities to effectively respond to any emergency.  

The Intra-Action Review brought ten COVID-19 subcommittees to share experiences and analyse the ongoing in-country COVID-19 response. Over 35 participants from government, United Nations, Civil Society Organisations and other partners have shared best practices, challenges, and lessons learned. The pillars of the response reviewed include, coordination, surveillance, points of entry, laboratory, case management, infection prevention and control, logistics safety and security, risk communication and community engagement, psychosocial social support and research, and vaccination.

Muhamadou Lamin Jaiteh, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Health thanked WHO for supporting the timely intra-action review meeting and he said this will help to update the national COVID19 Response Plan for 2021.

Muhamadou Lamin Jaiteh said, ‘As part of international best practices we need to pose and review on what transpired so far to learn, make mends and to chart a road to improve our actions ahead. This has been made successful through the technical and financial support from WHO. On behalf of the Minister, he thanked WHO for that strong support”

Dr Desta Tiruneh, WHO Country Representative said “The Intra-Action review is an opportunity to review the performance of the country’s response to COVID19, document best practices and identify gaps in various pillars of the response. Mounting effective response will help us to ensure continuity of essential health services that are needed by vulnerable groups of the population such as children, women, and people with health certain conditions that need timely attention.”

According to World Food Programme (WFP) Representative, Yasuhiro Tsumura, “We are delighted to support the country’s COVID-19 response as co-chair to the national logistics for COVID-19 response. WFP is supporting COVID-19 response through the ongoing national rice distribution programme to tackle the impact of the pandemic on the population.”

Yaya Sanyang, national COVID-19 coordinator said there is resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the Gambia and stressed on the need to comply with all COVID-19 preventive measures. “There is a recognisable resurgence of COVID-19 and a general low level of compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures throughout the country,” said Yaya Sanyang.

At the end of the six days deliberation, the Ministry of Health and its stakeholders came up with a Reviewed Report on the COVID19 Response in 2020 and an updated COVID19 Response Plan for 2021.