V. POVERTY REDUCTION AND THE SOCIAL SECTOR STRATEGY

Mr. Speaker Sir,

60. During the course of the year, all the governance structures required to guide and provide smooth implementation of SPA11 were instituted and made functional. At the September meeting of the High Level Economic Committee, a review of the first annual progress report on implementation SPA II was discussed and approved. An Interdepartmental Steering Committee was formed and made operational during the year. In addition to this multi-sectoral Committee formed to provide technical and practical support to the HILEC at policy level, four thematic working groups were also formed under the Interdepartmental Steering Committee.

61. Realizing that the PRSP/SPA11 is a voluminous document and heavily grounded with technical language, six simplified volumes were developed making it more reader friendly. These volumes are currently being printed with the support of Capacity Building for Economic Management Project (CBEMP).

62. The maiden annual progress report on SPA11 recently produced by SPACO revealed mixed results in our efforts toward reducing poverty in the country. We seem to be on track in education and health achievements, but lagged behind in improving purchasing power of most citizens. This poses a great challenge to the sustainability of our present investments in the social sector. There are some improvements in the delivery of the key services, but there is stillroom for improvements.

63. During 2003, a detailed poverty monitoring strategy, comprising both quantitative and qualitative measures, was formulated and adopted for tracking SPA11 implementation. The strategy outlined the nature and functional arrangements between SPACO and other stakeholders at national and local government levels. Key quantifiable indicators and benchmarks such as output, outcomes, processes and impact were agreed upon and a mechanism to tract them developed.

64. The Social Development Fund (SDF) as an integral part of The Government's National Poverty Alleviation Programme (NPAP) now covers the entire country (all divisions and municipal areas). The SDF has so far granted pre-qualification status to about 415 organisations as being eligible to access services and resources. However, the number of organisations supported far exceeds this total as indicated under the Social Services and Micro Finance Windows with demand for resources and services by an increasing number of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), NGOs, Micro-Finance Institutions and Public Service Institutions (PSIs). The fund has so far disbursed a total amount of D11.2 million to 529 community groups, benefiting 31,959 clients (76% women) countrywide. Loans disbursed were used for various micro enterprise activities including marketing, agriculture, and cottage industries to expand and strengthen the operations of the SDF.

65. The Department of State for Finance and Economic Affairs commissioned a study to review the country's existing community-driven portfolio programmes and projects in order to mainstream them under the proposed unified funding framework as recommended in the PRSP/SPAII. Government is reviewing the findings of this consultancy with a view to implementing them.

66. With regards to the Department of Community Development, the Community Skills Improvement Project (CSIP) will focus on poverty reduction by placing emphasis on skill development that will promote employment in rural communities through activities such as organising literacy classes all over the country. Similarly, The WFP-Support Project WFP/GAM 2729 has been extended for another term of three years and this assistance of US$ 3 million will be utilized in the area of food security and poverty alleviation through the provision of family rations to unskilled labour involved in the identified activities. The Soil and Water Management Unit is also inclined to implement dispensation of feeding support to some 20,000 children in day-care centres in rural areas.

i. Health and Population

67. Government's goal in the health sector continues to be the provision of improved access to the essential Health Care Package for the population with emphasis on wider coverage and affordability. In spite of the cardinal importance of primary health care, some attention is being given to secondary and tertiary services to complement primary services. Activities of the Bamako initiative with regards community involvement and participation that warrants ownership and sustainability were also, and shall continue to be, strengthened.

68. In 2003, The Gambia was certified by WHO as achieving eradication status for neonatal tetanus and leprosy, and presented with the challenge to maintain the status and work towards elimination of these health hazards. Ensuring maternal immunisation during pregnancy and delivery under save environments are the key activities that enabled us to achieve this status, and these would be reinforced in 2004. Results from preliminary surveys in 2003 showed increased coverage for the eight vaccine preventable childhood diseases routinely given in The Gambia. There has been a 10% increase in the percentage for fully immunised children under two years. In 2004, in addition to these activities, the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare plans to improve active surveillance for these diseases, strengthen case detection and monitor the use of vaccines with adequate documentation.

69. During the 2003 year, the incidence of malaria has reduced remarkably as indicated in recorded cases of both outpatients and in-patients. There has been a reduction in the number of complicated malaria cases and malaria related deaths as well. WHO ranked the Gambia No. 1 in Africa, for its laudable initiative and impressive record registered in Malaria control. Efforts that need strengthening in the years ahead include community sensitisation about the disease, intervention methods and prevention strategies.

70. With regards the control of HIV/Aids, community sensitisation and involvement is ongoing, and the provision and social marketing of materials (condoms) has commenced in 2003 and shall be reinforced in 2004. Home based care and provision of anti-retroviral drugs is at an advanced stage at the pilot site in Brikama, and all the requirements for scaling up have been put in place for expansion to Fajara (MRC) and Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in January 2004.

In addition to existing hospitals in the country, service delivery has started in Sulayman Junkung Hospital this year. In 2004, its services will be expanded to include essential obstetric care, including blood transfusion, x-ray services and basic surgical procedures.

71. About two years ago, The Participatory Health, Population and Nutrition Project (PHPNP) could utilize only about 28% of its budgeted funds. Following a mid-term review held in March this year, the project had utilized about 62% of loan funds, indicating an improvement in the implementation of the project. The project continues to improve the coverage, quality and utilization of maternal and child health services in The Gambia. Other important quality-enhancing activities include the provision of equipment and supplies needed for routine and emergency obstetric care, the rehabilitation of health facilities and the introduction of a blood supply system.

72. The project has also supported the construction of four new minor Health Centers in Kafuta, Albreda, Foday Kunda and Sarra Kunda. The upgrading and refurbishment of thirteen major and minor health centers for the delivery of quality services related to maternal, infant and child care, and the construction of staff quarters in remote facilities has helped retain qualified personnel.

73. Under the ADB funded Health Services Development Project, the Government is rehabilitating and expanding six (6) health centres in Basse, Fatoto, Yorrobawol, Kiang Karantaba, Kuntaur and Brufut. In 2004, the project will provide bio-medical equipment, hospital furniture and ambulances for each of these health centres, as well as construct a new Central Medical Store and National Public Health Laboratory in Kotu.

74. The Department of State for Health and Social Welfare has developed greater cooperation with its development partners involved in the delivery of Health Services in the country to ensure complementarities of efforts, improved quality of service, and respect for ethics, norms and standards of the Medical Practice. The Medical Research Council (UK) for instance is now more involved in service related research programmes addressing local health problems. The health sector has received tremendous support from multilateral and bilateral development partners namely, WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, The Republics of Cuba, Nigeria, Egypt, Italy, Germany, USA and UK. The contributions of NGOs are also commendable.

75. Among the several development partners working with the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare is the Italian Government which provided a 1.4M Dollar Grant through a bi-lateral co-operation entitled: "Support to the Development of the Primary Health Care System in the North Bank Division of the Gambia" otherwise known as the "Primary Health Care - (PHC) System Strengthening Project" initiated by H.E Dr. Alh. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh during his visit to Italy in 1998. The project aims to improve the health status of the population of the North Bank Division through improvements in geographic access and the quality of existing health services.

76. The Islamic Development Bank and Government co-financed the construction of the Serrekunda Hospital, a tertiary outlet that would ease the pressure on the RVH hospital. Work is already at an advanced stage and is expected to complete in 2004. The construction of the Soma Health Centre, also jointly financed by the Islamic Development Bank and Government has been completed.

ii. Education and Human Resource Development

77. The main policy thrust of the education sector is to meet education for all (EFA), and to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of providing quality basic education to all schools. In doing so, the education sector alone employs about 50% of the civil service workforce. Furthermore, Government's budgetary allocation to the education sector's recurrent expenditure increased from D177.6 million in 2002 to D208.0 million in 2003 representing a 17% increase. This is a manifestation of government's desire in providing full range of education services starting from early childhood development to University education.

78. For the (2002/2003) academic year, the total number of schools have increased. The Lower Basic Schools (Grades 1-6) stand at 350, The Upper Basic schools (Grades 7-9) at 86 and Senior Secondary Schools (Grades 10-12) at 41. The total enrolment at each cycle for the year under review is 209,106, 82,580 and 18,925 respectively. These enrolment figures include Madarassas as well.

79. The Scholarship Scheme for Girls now covers the whole country, contributing greatly to the increase in enrolment for girls, especially at the upper basic and senior secondary levels, where costs tend to deter parents from sending their daughters to school. Government is working towards the full realization of its policy objective of providing quality and relevant education to the populace with special emphasis on girls and women. Its focus is on the three areas of concern, enrolment, retention, and improving the performance of girls in school. In collaboration with UNICEF and FAWEGAM, 50 Girl-friendly schools have been established and supported in LRD, CRD and URD. 51 mother clubs have been inaugurated in these regions to support the Girl Friendly School Initiative (GFSI).

80. Access to basic education, including Madrassas, increased from a Gross Enrolment Ratio of 75% in 2001/02 to 91% in 2002/03. Enrolment for girls at the Lower Basic grew by 5.5% whilst that of boys grew by 3.4%. Gross Enrolment Ratio at secondary level reached 37% compared to the target of 23 %. The student -teacher ratio is 39:1 as compared to a target of 40:1. Book rental fees are completely removed for the lower basic schools, and a free text-book scheme for Grades 1 to 6 is fully operational. Life skills and civic education, which is designed to address the issue of HIV / AIDS, as well as raise awareness, is now being integrated into the school curriculum, using some of the carrier subjects as the medium of instruction.

iii. Housing

Mr. Speaker Sir,

81. The Year 2003 witnessed the finalisation of award of contracts and the commencement of works for both the infrastructure works and the complete and core housing units under the Brusubi Housing Project Phase 2 and Extension. These involve a total project cost of over D114 million, and provide employment for more than 2000 people, with 1,566 citizens also benefiting through allocations under the various facilities available within the project.

82. With the steady increase in population, the Department of Lands and Surveys is committed to providing land for general and economic activities, in line with Government's policy to provide equitable shelter for Gambians and vigorously put into effect the enforcement of non-infringement into state land as contained in the State Land Act. In this regard, and in the light of the planned allocation programme, local and traditional authorities are expected to support Government's efforts by desisting from tampering with areas declared as state land and GREEN BELT AREA, through selling without consultation with the relevant government authority. Technical assistance from the Japanese Government is underway with the Department of Lands and Surveys to provide an aerial photographic coverage of the whole country.

83. It will be recalled that His Excellency, The President laid the foundation stone of a Housing Development Project at Yundum in 2001 which is being constructed by TAF Holding Ltd. This project is progressing satisfactorily, and is nearing completion. Also, institutional layouts have been completed and allocated to Government Departments and Private Organisations.

84. The Salaji layout, a replacement of the Brufut layout, has been prepared and is presently under consideration. In addition, industrial extension layouts have been prepared to meet the growing demand for land in the industrial sector. These layouts would soon be approved for allocation.

iv. Youth and Sport

Mr. Speaker Sir,

85. In the area of Youth Development, new initiatives have emerged through the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSS), which could have a profound impact on the lives of the youths in the country. These initiatives will enhance both youth development and youth empowerment. Such initiatives include the establishment of a youth internet café and counselling centre, youth fisheries, and agricultural projects in regions like Sapu and Nyaniberreh.

86. Under the auspices of the National Youth Council, and in line with the goals of the National Youth Policy, Youths are encouraged to fully participate in national development through the formation of youth organisations focussing on issues of the environment, health and food production. These organisations are managed by the youths and supervised by the National Youth Council. In this way, youths are empowered to make their own decisions on issues of national interest thus, inculcating in them attitudes that are compatible with our national development goals.

87. In the area of sports, a sports academy in the country is near completion for use to harness and develop the talents and skills of youths to international standard. District infrastructure programmes to provide multi-purpose mini stadia at the district level are on course, and construction works have already started at Kaur and Bulock. This initiative is to support the divisional infrastructures for the purpose of decentralizing sports in the country, and provide equal opportunity in sports for all.

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