The Gambia is currently working towards achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. To achieve the targets for the reduction of child mortality, which forms MDG 4, The Gambia should reduce under-five deaths per 1,000 live births to 55 and increase measles immunisation to 100% by 2015. In 2011 under-five mortality stood at 101 deaths per 1,000 live births, and measles immunisation was at 91%. This suggests that while progress is occurring, The Gambia still has some way to go if MDG 4 is to be achieved by 2015.
The global MDG 5 target for maternal health is to reduce the number of women who die in pregnancy and childbirth by threequarters between 1990 and 2015 level. When applying this target to The Gambia, the maternal mortality should fall to 175 cases per 100,000 live births. In the period 2007-11 The Gambia reported a maternal mortality ratio of 730 deaths per 100,000 live births (estimated at 360 deaths per 100,000 by UN agencies/World Bank in 2010). The Gambia is far from achieving this target, and it is unlikely to do so by 2015. Part of the goal also stipulates that 100% of births must be attended by a skilled health professional.
In the period 2007-12 this figure stood at 57%, so progress towards this target is also currently off track.
MDG 6 aims for a reduction in the prevalence of HIV, malaria and other communicable diseases. Prevalence of HIV in The Gambia has been rising steadily since 1990. Confirmed deaths from malaria rose in the period 2001-11. Estimated incidences of TB and related mortality (when mortality data excludes cases co-morbid with HIV) have increased. Accordingly, dramatic progress in these areas is required if the country is to come close to achieving MDG 6.
