The healthcare sector in The Gambia is guided by the national health policy (2021–2030), which aims for universal health coverage and improved healthcare delivery. In as much as there’s progress in areas like reducing infant mortality and increase in immunization coverage, the system faces certain challenges, including a shortage of trained personnel, inadequate infrastructure, and a high attrition rate among healthcare workers. Both Citizens and foreign Professionals have variety of the Healthcare or nursing job opportunities in Gambia. Are you ready for it? Let’s go!
The public health system operates on a three-tiered model which is the private Organization, the public Organization and the non governmental organization but has an uneven distribution of resources, with urban areas having more facilities than rural regions, where traditional healers often remain an important source of care.
In this article we will be discussing the Current Healthcare and Nursing Job Vacancies in Gambia benefits and challenges of working as any of the medical professional, top employers in Gambia and other related Updates.
Ongoing Opportunities on Healthcare and Nursing Sector
1. Field Monitoring Assistant (G4)-2
- Recruiter: World Food Programme The Gambia
- Full-time
2. Child Protection Specialist, NO3, Banjul, The Gambia #18482 (open to Gambia Nationals only)
- Recruiter: UNICEF
- Location: Banjul, Gambia
- Full-time
3. Specialist II, Program Cross Border Malaria Coordination
- Organization: ChildFund International
- Location: The Gambia
- Recruiter: via Salesforce
- Full-time
Requirements for nurses and midwives in Gambia
- You must have a valid transcript from a recognized institution
- You must have a certificate of program completion from a recognized institution.
- You must have two passport-sized photographs in uniform with a white background
- You must have 1 copy of your identity document or birth certificate
- You must have a completed GNMC application form, that you collected from the council’s office
- If you’re renewing all you need is a, copy of the old license.
Post-Basic Midwifery Training
Applicant must be a registered nurse with a diploma grade of “C” or better and must have at least two years of post-qualification work experience as an enrolled nurse.
Foreign-trained applicants
All documents must be in English or officially translated. Foreign trained applicants must have copies of all relevant diplomas (Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, etc.), a copy of your current state license to practice is needed. Foreign trained healthcare professionals must also prepare a detailed CV (curriculum vitae), which is mandatory and a copy of the passport’s information and signature pages is required.
Nurses’ Salaries
Yearly, a Staff Nurse working in Gambia usually earn around 143,200 GMD per year, and this can range from the lowest average salary of about 66,840 GMD to the highest average salary of 225,700 GMD.
Monthly, a nurse can earn an average salary of 11,933 GMD, 5,570 GMD at lowest and highest monthly salary of 18,808 GMD. This salary also include benefits like housing and transportation.
The salary of nurse can change due to several reason such as experience, location, skills, and gender.
Top Organization Hiring Healthcare and Nursing Staff
1. Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH): The RVTH is Located in Banjul. This Organization are in high demand for healthcare professionals.
2. Kanifing General Hospital: The kanifing general hospital is a large tertiary hospital that serve the kanifing municipality and also a very important healthcare providers.
3. Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit The Gambia: The MRC Unit is a leading medical research center in tropical disease. It employs a wide range of medical and laboratory staff to conduct its research.
4. Catholic Relief Services (CRS): CRS is an international NGO involved in healthcare services, including nutrition, maternal health, and HIV prevention. CRS partners with the Catholic Development Office (CADO) on related projects.
5. ActionAid Gambia: This international NGO has been active in The Gambia for decades and includes healthcare among its many initiatives.
6. Gambia Healthcare Matters: A UK-registered charity that raises funds and provides equipment and medication to support The Gambia’s healthcare system. It coordinates with the Ministry of Health and other service providers to effect change.
7. Foundation Humanitarian Aid Gambia (FHAG): This organization has focused on various projects addressing family and social issues since 1996, including in the health and education sectors.
8. Unique Foundation The Gambia: This organization, and others like it, often have health-related projects that require healthcare staff.
9. Africmed International Hospital: This is a leading private hospital in The Gambia with its main facility in Brusubi. It is a significant employer for qualified medical professionals.
10. Kairo Clinic: A private primary care health facility located in the Kololi-Senegambia area that employs medical staff.
Challenges in Gambian healthcare system
1. There’s Inadequate resources in the healthcare sector
2. The country has a shortage of trained health staff, especially in rural areas, leading to an uneven distribution of healthcare facilities and resources.
3. There’s Limited access to care especially in the rural communities
4. There’s high population growth, poverty, and inappropriate health-seeking behaviors contribute to high morbidity and mortality rates. This is especially concerning for child and maternal mortality indicators, even though rates have been improving.
5. Access to care and resources is not equitable across regions. The Western Region receives a disproportionately large share of healthcare resources compared to others.
Challenges in Nursing Profession
1. Nurses face workplace violence and burnout: Nurses face a high risk of verbal and physical violence from patients and their relatives, often attributed to understaffing and a shortage of drugs and supplies. This, along with heavy workloads and long hours, can lead to burnout.
2. Inadequate training and mentorship: There is a very big gap between theoretical training and clinical practice. Nursing ethics and practical guidelines are not consistently or adequately taught, and a lack of senior, trained nurses means there is no formal mentorship for younger nurses.
3. Theory-practice gap: The discrepancy between what is taught in nursing school and what can be applied in clinical settings is a major problem. Lack of equipment and resources in many health facilities makes it difficult for nurses to adhere to best practices.
4. Low professional status and morale: Low salaries, poor working conditions, and a lack of professional insurance contribute to low morale and high turnover.
5. Educational constraints: Nursing education faces issues such as outdated textbooks, limited specialization areas, a shortage of faculty, and inadequate infrastructure like limited classroom space and poor e-learning facilities.
Benefits of the healthcare and nursing profession
1. Growing educational opportunities: Nursing education is progressing in The Gambia. Advanced diploma, graduate, and postgraduate nursing programs are now available at institutions like the University of The Gambia. Public institutions also offer free certificate-level education.
2. Social and economic contribution: The Gambian government recognizes that a healthy population contributes to economic productivity and development. This emphasis makes health a central part of the national development strategy.
3. Strong primary healthcare strategy: A tiered, community-based public health system exists, focused on Primary Health Care. This structure extends services to remote areas via village health workers and posts, improving overall health outcomes and access.
4. Rewarding and respected career: nurses in Gambia has lot of benefits despite the challenges, the Profession is also a very respected one.
5. Job security and diverse opportunities: The demand for healthcare professionals provides strong job security. Nursing offers a variety of specializations and career paths, allowing for professional growth.
6. Collaborative efforts: International organizations like the WHO are actively supporting the Gambian Ministry of Health to improve healthcare delivery. These partnerships aim to strengthen regulatory frameworks, develop strategic plans, and secure funding for critical health initiatives.
Conclusion
Healthcare in The Gambia faces persistent challenges, including shortages of staff, medical supplies, and adequate infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. However, the government, with support from international partners, is actively working to strengthen the system through new policies, increased funding, and expanded training for healthcare workers, creating significant opportunities within the nursing sector.
Related Post
- Visa Sponsorship jobs in Gambia for foreigners
- Healthcare & Nursing Jobs in Albania
- Teaching Jobs in Cambodia
- Teaching Jobs in Ecuador
- Healthcare and Nursing jobs in Cambodia
- Healthcare and Nursing Jobs in Ecuador
- Teaching Jobs in Netherlands
- Healthcare & Nursing Jobs in Jamaica
- Teaching Jobs in Guatemala
- Teaching Jobs in Senegal
- Healthcare & Nursing Jobs in Lithuania
- Healthcare & Nursing Jobs in Armenia
- Teaching Jobs in Somalia
- Teaching Jobs in Romania
