A PLAN TO IMPROVE AND SAVES LIVES IN THE GAMBIA

The Alpha Community Health Centre - Addressing Maternal Mortality and Healthcare Gaps

In The Gambia, the joy of pregnancy often comes with grave risks.

A lack of access to quality healthcare means many women face life-threatening complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Maternal mortality remains a critical issue, compounded by insufficient medical facilities, a shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, and the inability of many families to afford treatment. Affinity Vision, through the Alpha Community Health Centre, is working to address these challenges and bring life-saving healthcare to rural communities.

Maternal Mortality in The Gambia: A Grim Reality

  • High Maternal Mortality Rate: The maternal mortality rate in The Gambia stands at 597 deaths per 100,000 live births, significantly higher than the global average of 211 deaths per 100,000 live births (WHO).

  • Limited Skilled Assistance: Only 69% of births in The Gambia are attended by skilled health professionals, leaving many women without the critical care they need during delivery (UNICEF).

  • Distance to Healthcare: Rural women often live far from hospitals, with some needing to travel for hours, making timely medical intervention almost impossible

Conditions Impacting Pregnant Women

  • Lack of Pre- and Postnatal Care: Many women do not receive essential check-ups during pregnancy, increasing the risk of complications like haemorrhage, infection, and eclampsia.

  • Inadequate Facilities: Rural health posts often lack basic equipment, trained staff, and emergency resources, leading to preventable deaths.

  • Malnutrition: Pregnant women frequently suffer from malnutrition, which contributes to anaemia and low birth weights, further endangering both mother and child.

Investing in a Community Hub to Drive Improvements

“Too many women in The Gambia lose their lives while bringing new life into the world. The Alpha Community Health Centre is more than a medical facility—it’s a lifeline for families who desperately need healthcare close to home,” says Chris Bialan, CEO of Affinity Vision.

A Beacon of Hope

Affinity Vision’s Alpha Community Health Centre is designed to transform healthcare for pregnant women and their families in rural Gambia. This life-saving facility will provide:

  • Skilled Birth Attendance: With trained midwives and medical professionals on-site, the centre will ensure safe deliveries for mothers and babies.

  • Emergency Care: Equipped to handle complications during childbirth, the centre will reduce the need for risky, time-consuming travel to urban hospitals.

  • Pre- and Postnatal Services: Routine check-ups and counselling will help identify risks early and support women after delivery.

  • Nutrition Programs: Addressing malnutrition among pregnant women through education and supplements, improving maternal health and birth outcomes.

Creating a Community Centre for Support

Affinity Vision has already laid the groundwork for the Alpha Community Health Centre by:

  • Securing the land and initial funding for construction.

  • Establishing partnerships with local healthcare professionals.

  • Planning for additional services such as nutrition education and vocational training to support sustainable community growth.
MORE ABOUT ALPHA HEALTH

Join the Movement to Reduce Maternal Mortality

Maternal mortality in The Gambia is a crisis that demands urgent action. Affinity Vision’s Alpha Community Health Centre is a critical step toward ensuring safe pregnancies and healthier futures for families in rural communities.

Your support can bring life-saving healthcare to women and children who need it most. Together, we can reduce maternal mortality and create a brighter, healthier future for The Gambia.