Gambia Records 130 Maternal Deaths in 2025, Health Ministry

The Gambia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmad Lamin Samateh, says the country recorded 130 maternal deaths between January and December 2025, according to health facility statistics.

The minister disclosed this on Wednesday, during a question-and-answer session at the National Assembly.

Samateh was responding to a question from the member for Janjanbureh, Omar Jammeh, who asked the ministry to provide statistics on the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) per 100,000 live births in The Gambia between 2014 and 2025.

According to the minister, the 130 maternal deaths were recorded out of 80,720 live births in health facilities across the country.

“This translates to 129 deaths per 100,000 live births, reflecting a decline from 289 deaths per 100,000 live births previously recorded,” Samateh told lawmakers.

He added that reducing maternal mortality remains one of the government’s top health priorities.

During the same parliamentary session, the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Habibatou Drammeh, outlined reforms aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of education nationwide.

She was responding to a question from the member for Bakau, Assan Touray, who asked the ministry to explain what reforms are being implemented to strengthen the education sector.

Drammeh said the ministry is implementing several initiatives to improve learning outcomes and access to education.

Among the reforms is the Mainstreaming Effective Intervention Strategy (MASE) and accompanying pedagogical programmes designed to improve foundational learning at the primary school level.

“These reforms aim to enhance educational quality at the foundational level by improving learning outcomes through targeted interventions while promoting inclusivity,” she said.

The minister also highlighted ongoing teacher competency assessments and professional training programmes as part of broader efforts to strengthen education standards.

She explained that the teacher competency assessment has now become a mandatory requirement for pre-service teachers graduating from diploma and advanced diploma programmes.

According to her, the initiative is intended to ensure that qualified and capable educators enter the teaching profession.

Drammeh said the reforms are expected to create a more effective learning environment and ensure that every child has access to quality education that prepares them for higher levels of learning.