Non-Governmental Organisations and Health Service Delivery in The Gambia: A Case Study of The Hands-On-Care Clinic

Abstract

This study mainly assessed the performance of the Hands-on-Care (HoC) Clinic, a Non-Governmental Organisation, in sexual and reproductive health service delivery in The Gambia and identified the challenges being faced by the organisation. Both primary and secondary data were used for this study. Primary data were collected using a questionnaire, in-depth interviews, and Participant Observation. The staff and patients of HoC Clinic and the two support societies were targeted for the study. The results of the study revealed that NGOs play vital roles in the delivery of health services. HoC Clinic has made and continues to make significant contributions to the sexual and reproductive health of The Gambia. The results also showed that it contributes individually and collectively in a participatory manner to improving the quality of life of all Gambians and non-Gambians alike. Based on the cumulative responses of staff, patients, and support societies and in consultation with relevant institutional documents, it could be observed that the institution continues to perform extremely well in the provision of sexual and reproductive health services to the people despite challenges in terms of human and material resources as alluded to by many respondents during the study. The performance of the institution was said to have been hindered by a poor commitment from the government, high reliance on donors, limited funding from other partners, and an unstable political environment, among others. The study concluded that NGOs play important roles in health service delivery, especially in developing countries where the government lacks the power to do all for its citizens. This makes them indispensable to the development of a country as they fill the gap the government is unable to fill.