Regional Health Directorate, North Bank West Region

1. General Information

Regional Head: Mr. Ebrima Baldeh

Office Address: Essau District Hospital

Email Address: ebrimabaldeh83@gmail.com

2. Organizational Structure

Overview: The North Bank West Health Region is located in the northern part of The Gambia, stretching from Barra in the Lower Nuimi District to the Kerewan Bridge in Jokadu District. It is one of the smallest regions, with a population of 143,152 (MoH Population Projection, 2024).

Structure:

• Regional Health Director
• Principals (Regional Principal Public Health Officer – RPPHO and Regional Principal Nursing Officer – RPNO)
• Administrator
• Senior Regional Health Promotion and Education Officer (SRHPEO)
• Regional Surveillance Nursing Officer (RSNO)
• Regional Logistics Supervisor (RLS)
• Regional Vaccine Cold Chain Officer (RVCO)
• Regional Operations Officer (ROO)
• Senior Community Health Nurse Tutor (SCHNT)
• Regional Laboratory Technologist (RLTCO)
• Nutrition Field Officer (NFO)
• Regional Data Manager (RDM)
• Regional Physiotherapist (RPT)
• Regional Information and Communication Technology Officer (RICTO)
• Data Entry Clerk / Logistics Management Information System (DEC/LMIS)
• Secretary
• Support Staff (Orderlies, Tradesmen, Drivers)

Key Departments:

• Administration/Coordination (Office of the Director)
• Public Health Services
• Clinical Services
• Village Health Services.

3. Key Functions and Responsibilities

Coordinate and supervise the effective implementation of curative, preventive, and promotive health programs and activities in the region.
Conduct quarterly health facility supportive supervision.
Conduct quarterly Quality of Care assessments.
Conduct quarterly community monitoring.
Work towards achieving the regional Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Mobilize resources for the implementation of costed Annual Operational Plan (AOP) activities.

4. Services Provided

• Birth and Death Registration
• Health Promotion and Education Activities
• Community Monitoring, Quality of Care Services
• Vector Control Services
• Nutrition Services/Activities
• TB and Leprosy Services
• HIV/AIDS Services
• Laboratory Services
• Supportive Supervision and Health Facility Monitoring
• Distribution of Vaccines and Other Supplies
• Supply of Medicines and Other Products/Supply Chain Management
• Allocation of Vehicles and Motorcycles for Effective Service Delivery
• School Health Programs.

5. Programs and Projects
Ongoing Programs:

• Expansion of the Maternity Ward in Essau District Hospital
• National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) ongoing services – Health Benefit Package
• Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Services
• Construction of community clinics at Sika and Munyagen
• Incineration of sharps at regional level
• Community-based surveillance on malaria
• Community events-based surveillance of diseases, conditions, and events
• Construction of latrines at Kerr Jarga ward, Jokadou District
• Rollout of HPV vaccine switch to all facilities
• Integration of COVID-19 vaccine into routine immunization services
• Sample Referral Network (SRN)

6. Policies, Guidelines, and Reports
Key Policies:

• Health Care Waste Management Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
• National Health Policy.
• Tobacco Control Act and Regulations.

Guidelines:

• Standard Operating Procedure for Containerized Inciner8 Incinerator
• National Standard Treatment Guidelines
• Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Guidelines
• National Malaria Surveillance Guideline

Reports:

• Regional Health Directorate Annual Report 2024.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    1. Is there any medication available at the clinic?

       Yes, supplies are available regularly through the National Pharmaceutical Services under the Ministry of Health.

2. Are scanning services available (ultrasound)?

       Yes, ultrasound scanning services are available at the district hospital and other health facilities within the region.           Staff are currently undergoing training.

3. Can birth registration be done in other facilities?

       Yes, birth registration is done in all health facilities within the region for ease of access.

4. Can I get a blood donor?

       There is a blood bank at the district hospital; however, we also encourage the community to come forward and              support the blood bank for continuity of services.

8. Events and News

      Upcoming Events (Ongoing):

• Quality of Care Assessment
• Community Monitoring
• Supportive Supervision

9. Collaboration and Partnerships

• Governor’s Office
• Essau Police Station
• Fire and Rescue Services
• Gambia Ports Authority
• Njongon Military Camp
• North Bank Regional Commissioner’s Office (RCS)
• Regional Youth Counsel
• Agency for the Development of Women and Children (ADWAC)
• Forestry Department
• Department of Community Development (DCD)
• Department of Agriculture
• National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA)
• National Environment Agency (NEA)
• Area Council
• Office of the Ombudsman
• Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA