Mr. Morris I.O. Anyim, Project Coordinator of the Bakoteh Health and Social Centre disclosed that the Associazione Nazionale Pubbliche Assistence (ANPAS), an Italian based association, has provided funds at the tune of D300, 000 to the Bakoteh Health Centre.

The initiative is going to be consecrated in February 2007. The project is also backed by The Gambia government, through the Department of State for Social Welfare.

Speaking to the Daily Observer, Mr. Anyim said, “the Bakoteh Health and Social Centre project aims to contribute to the improvement of living conditions of children and vulnerable families living in the area.

He also added that the initiative symbolises an example of fruitful cooperation among government agencies, local organisations and stakeholders, as well as transnational partners and donors.

He went further to indicate that in any country, children are the hope for the future. In The Gambia, where children under 18 represent 45% of the total population, child protection and the implementation of children’s rights take on even greater importance.

“While the Government of The Gambia is seriously committed to pursuing these goals, it has in the past years achieved major success in some areas like vaccine coverage”, he said.

According to him, the project’s main goal is to focus on the question of children’s rights, through an integrated outlook that takes into account the primary rights of every child like life, protection, appropriate, nutrition, and access to medical care, education, etc.

He then added that the objectives are to promote the sustainable improvement of the living conditions of vulnerable children and their families, to contribute to reducing the risk of child negligence and abandonment, as well as child mortality and morbidity.

“The project is not only based on establishing a Health and Social Centre, but also comprises other components, such as medical assistance, emergency care, counselling, information and sensitization campaigns on nutrition, preventive action on women and children’s right, providing an ambulance and medical equipment”, he concluded..