ChildFund provides direct support to government healthcare services by supplying essential medicines and medical supplies through the Ministry of Health. Over the past five years, and with the support of partners including MAP International and the Catholic Medical Mission Board, ChildFund has donated pharmaceuticals and medical equipment valued at over USD 5 million. These supplies have been distributed to public health facilities across all six regions of The Gambia, contributing to improved access to quality healthcare and the strengthening of the national health system.

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• ChildFund hands over medicines and pharmaceuticals worth USD 2 million to the Ministry of Health
• ChidFund donates medical items worth over US$27,000 to MoH

ChildFund partners with local leaders, women’s groups, and community networks to promote antenatal care, immunizations, proper nutrition, and safe delivery practices, whether at home with skilled birth attendants or in healthcare facilities. Through collaboration with local partners, we monitor the growth and development of infants and young children to ensure their well-being.

Trained community health workers provide new mothers with comprehensive education on maternal and child health, empowering them to make informed decisions. We also facilitate access to essential health services, linking mothers to skilled birth attendants, immunization programs, and nutritional support to promote healthy pregnancies and safe childbirth.

ChildFund supports access to life-saving health services by covering medical expenses for children enrolled in its sponsorship program. Since 2022, ChildFund has paid healthcare bills for more than 14,000 children, ensuring timely treatment and continuity of care. In addition, ChildFund regularly supplies critical medicines to local health clinics in its areas of operation, helping bridge gaps in essential service delivery and reducing the burden on vulnerable families. These efforts directly contribute to improving child survival and health outcomes in underserved communities.

ChildFund’s Responsive and Protective Parenting (RPP) model integrates nutrition education into a broader childcare and protection framework, currently active in four regions of The Gambia. The program aims to improve caregivers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) on the nurturing care framework, with a strong emphasis on early childhood nutrition.

Through structured caregiver sessions led by trained facilitators, parents, especially fathers, who are often less involved in early childcare, are equipped with practical skills to support their children’s health and development. In FY24, 1,620 caregivers enhanced their understanding of key practices, including the preparation of nutritious meals using locally available cereals and foodstuffs. Participants also learned to create stimulating play environments with homemade toys, reinforcing the link between good nutrition, early stimulation, and child well-being.

To enhance household food security and improve child nutrition, ChildFund supports families to establish and maintain backyard gardens. These gardens enable caregivers to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables, ensuring year-round access to nutritious foods essential for children's growth and development. In addition to meeting household consumption needs, surplus produce is sold to generate income, which families can use to meet other basic needs such as education and healthcare.