The Diaspora Club, a non-profit organisation from Gambia, has alleged that the government is obstructing its efforts to build a maternity ward in Chamen village, located in the Nianija District. During a press conference on Sunday, the club voiced its frustration regarding the Ministry of Health’s decision to revoke clearance for the project.
“The Ministry of Health’s decision to revoke the clearance for the Diaspora Club to construct a much-needed maternity ward in Chamen Village, Nianija is truly disappointing.” “The decision is both rash and unacceptable,” stated Mam Busso Jack Bahoum, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Diaspora Club.
The organisation reported that from December 2022 to February 2023, it initiated a project aimed at tackling maternal health issues by building maternity wards in underserved communities nationwide. The club asserts that it has collaborated closely with the Ministry of Health and the Chamen community, adhering to the Ministry’s guidance to formulate an acceptable construction plan.
On July 22, 2024, the Ministry reportedly approved the project, leading the Diaspora Club to hire a contractor to initiate construction. Complications emerged on December 30, 2024, as club members, primarily from Europe and North America, made their way to Chamen for the foundation-laying ceremony.
On July 22nd, 2024, the Ministry of Health, having reviewed our plan, granted the organisation approval to construct the Maternity Ward. The organisation engaged a builder to construct the building.
On December 30th, 2024, members of the Organisation, all residing in Europe and North America, gathered to lay the foundation. However, to our dismay, we were informed that a high-ranking government official had contacted the village’s Alkali to discourage him from proceeding with the event,” the PRO explained.
The PRO, however, conducted the ceremony with what she characterised as the eager backing of the villagers.
“The ceremony was filled with emotion, as villagers recounted the challenges faced by maternal women, including two women sharing the same bed to give birth.” These stories reignited our determination to complete this project. Consequently, the Ministry of Health’s choice to withdraw the approval for constructing the essential maternity ward appears to lack good faith. We hold the view that the Ministry’s decision is marked by a sense of cynicism and vindictiveness, aimed not only at undermining the Diaspora Club but also at depriving the impoverished women of Chamen and neighbouring communities of adequate healthcare. She explained, “We urge the Ministry of Health to permit us to proceed with this project for the greater benefit of the country.”
The Ministry of Health, nonetheless, offered an official rationale for the decision. The Ministry informed the Diaspora Club that the cancellation was due to plans funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to renovate the Chamen Health Centre.
“I am writing to formally cancel the initial clearance issued Ref: DHS/AD/2024/07 (MTN 33) dated 22 July 2024, which permitted the construction of a maternity block at Chamen Health Centre in the Nianija District of Central River Region.” The change in plan is a result of a secured grant from the Africa Development Bank (AFDB) via the National Social Protection Secretariat, aimed at constructing new facilities and renovating the existing ones at the entire health centre. The Ministry of Health values your offer and would be thankful if your support could be directed towards other areas. The Ministry of Health expresses its gratitude for your support,” the ministry stated.
Established in 2017, the Diaspora Club is officially registered in both The Gambia and the United States. The organisation has shown a strong commitment to supporting the country, highlighted by its significant contributions such as the renovation of the Children’s Ward at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) and the provision of blankets, sanitary products, and other essential supplies to Mile 2 prisons.
In light of the recent setback, the club has urged the Ministry to reevaluate its decision and permit the project to move forward, highlighting its significance for the women of Chamen and surrounding communities.
