The Gambia Red Cross Society in collaboration with the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare, on Tuesday, launched the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) program and distribution of bednets to pregnant women at a ceremony held at Essau Health Centre, in the North Bank Region.

In his opening remarks, Baba Njie, GRCS health team officer at Essau Health Centre, commended the GRCS for implementing the programme for the North Bank Region. He said that this IMCI program is divided into two folds, the training of volunteers in the region and the distribution of bednets to pregnant women in the area.

He noted that 18 villages in the eastern part of NBR and 36 villages in Jokadu will benefit from the bednet distribution.

For his part, Dr Malick Njie, secretary of state for Health and Social Welfare, expressed delight to be associated with the GRCS in implementing such a benevolent program. He noted that DoSH has a mandate to address all health needs in the country, adding that his department will always collaborate with GRCS to embark on any health development programme.

"From now on, all health programs should focus more on areas that require urgent assistance and as part of our mandate to fight against malaria, DoSH has started this IMCI program and bednet distribution to areas that urgently need help," Dr Njie revealed.

Lamin William Jammeh, secretary general of the GRCS explained that the project is designed to address matters regarding health and community service. He added that as a matter of policy, the GRCS does not implement programmes, but complement and collaborate with the DoSH to help implement such programmes.

He expressed delight in collaborating with DoSH to fight against malaria.

"We hope that we would not only distribute bednets, but we will also sensitise the beneficiaries on how to use them," he concluded.

Aji Fatou Sanneh, senior community health nurse, delivered the vote of thanks.