Gambia's Hemophilia Patients Face Neglect, Advocacy Efforts Underway

Strategic Insights -

Concerns over the lack of adequate healthcare services and trained medical professionals in rural Gambia were highlighted at the Safe Motherhood and Hemophilia Foundation's Family Day. Patients and families shared heartbreaking stories of loss and neglect due to the lack of specialized treatment and care for hemophilia, a rare genetic bleeding disorder. The event focused on the challenges faced by people living with hemophilia, particularly in rural areas where medical facilities are under-resourced and hemophilia awareness is limited. Advocacy efforts are underway to bridge the gaps in care, including developing a patient ID system and launching a public awareness campaign to dispel misconceptions about the disease.

Key Takeaways:

  • A shortage of healthcare personnel in rural communities like Farafenni, Bansang, and Kudang has resulted in patients facing neglect and delayed treatment, leading to severe consequences.
  • Hemophilia testing and treatment are centralized in Banjul, requiring patients to travel long distances, often at great financial and emotional cost, to access diagnosis and clotting factor medication.
  • The Safe Motherhood and Hemophilia Foundation is developing a patient ID system to help healthcare providers manage cases and ensure timely treatment.
  • The Foundation has also launched a public awareness campaign to dispel misconceptions about hemophilia, which is often misdiagnosed due to limited training among health professionals.
  • The Gambian government, in partnership with the Safe Motherhood and Hemophilia Foundation, is working to improve the storage and management of medical supplies and ensure that patients receive free access to care.
  • Essential safety precautions for caregivers include regular monthly check-ups with hematologists and notifying doctors about the condition before any medical procedure.
  • Despite commendable progress, much more needs to be done, particularly in rural communities, to address the gaps in medical expertise and infrastructure.

Statistics:

  • Patients have to travel long distances, often over 100km, to access hematologists and receive treatment.
  • The only hemophilia testing machine in The Gambia is located in Banjul, making it difficult for patients in rural areas to access diagnosis and treatment.
  • The Safe Motherhood and Hemophilia Foundation has recorded a significant increase in patients accessing treatment due to the establishment of a hemophilia testing laboratory in Banjul.
  • The Foundation has partnered with the Gambian government to improve the storage and management of medical supplies, ensuring patients receive free access to care.

Sources:

  • The Point, "Gambia's Hemophilia Patients Face Neglect, Advocacy Efforts Underway," 2025.
  • AllAfrica Global Media, "ASF France leads continental push for digital rights at ACHPR forum in Banjul," 2025.