THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA’S COMBINED REPORT ON THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN & PEOPLES’ RIGHTS & INITIAL REPORT ON THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA Maternal Mortality ratio 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 1990 2000 2008 2010 2013 Table: Maternal Mortality ratio The mortality rates among women as a result of complications during pregnancy or childbearing decreased from 1050 per 100 000 in 1990 to 433 per 100 000 in 2013. The following achievements have been registered - • With the establishment of the Medical School, there are now more doctors in the country. As a result, doctors are now being posted to health facilities in the regions to ensure timely interventions and provision of quality care in rural areas • The Government has announced the provision of free maternal, new born and child health services • Institutionalisation of Advance midwifery program in training schools for skill improvement in the provision of basic obstetric care services in all the health facilities in the country • Training of peri-operative and anaesthetist nurses to make operating theatres operational for obstetric care services in the rural areas • Training of service providers on Focused antenatal care • Training of nurses on emergency maternal, new-born and child health • Neo-natal care training for services providers • Provision of vaccines and maintenance of high immunisation coverage • Availability of life saving equipment. • Recent introduction of Result Base Financing 146