The Gambia CCM

The Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of The Gambia, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, ActionAid International The Gambia, and key stakeholders, is currently hosting the National Consultative Forum for the Global Fund Grant Cycle 8 (GC8) Proposal Development Process!
Running from June 16th to 18th, 2026, in the Greater Banjul area, this crucial 3-day forum brings together diverse voices to engage in dialogue and prioritize interventions for the upcoming 2027–2029 grant cycle.

The Goal is to ensure an inclusive, transparent, and evidence-based funding request to fight HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), and Malaria, while building Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH).
Key Objectives Underway:
• Reviewing Progress: Evaluating the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from the current GC7 grant implementation.
• Identifying Priorities: Pinpointing key interventions for HIV, TB, and malaria, along with crucial cross-cutting areas such as health systems strengthening (HSS), community systems, and human rights.
• Ensuring Inclusive Voices: Guaranteeing the meaningful participation of key and vulnerable populations, including women, youth, and civil society, in setting priorities and budgets.
• Validating Gaps: Agreeing on programmatic targets and proposed activities for a unified national submission.
From public-sector leaders and development partners (such as WHO, UNAIDS, and the World Bank) to civil society, academic institutions, and key population-led organizations—everyone is at the table. Special care is being taken to ensure that the principles of transparency and confidentiality are upheld.
Stay tuned as we work together toward a healthier, more resilient Gambia! Matter

From May 18–22, 2026, the CCM hosted its semiannual constituency consultations, a critical, country-driven process that ensures all partners have a seat at the table. As mandated by the CCM By-Laws, these semiannual engagements ensure that all voices are included in shaping national health strategies.
Why do these consultations matter? Because fighting HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria requires a coordinated, multi-sector approach through the CCM. During this weeklong exercise, we brought together a broad range of stakeholders with diverse skills, backgrounds, and experiences to enhance national discussions and promote inclusive participation in the development of GC8.
Key Highlights of the Consultation:
• Updates & Performance: Briefed members on CCM operations and grant performance.
• Capacity Building: Enhanced awareness among members regarding their roles and responsibilities.
• Grant Status: Discussed the implementation status of current grants.
• Looking Forward: Explained the upcoming GC8 allocation and highlighted key priorities for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria programs, and gathered insights and recommendations from all constituencies.
The Global Fund’s mission is to sustainably reduce infections, illness, and death through a country-driven, multi-sector partnership. True impact is only possible when we collaborate, gather insights, and ensure inclusive participation in the development of proposals.
A massive thank you to all the constituencies who contributed their recommendations to enhance our national discussions for GC8!

The Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of The Gambia recently concluded crucial thematic group meetings to develop the GC8 Funding Request!
It was an inspiring series of engagements that brought together a diverse group of stakeholders across vital sectors, including HIV, TB, malaria, Health Systems Strengthening, Community Systems, Gender, and key populations.
Together, we rolled up our sleeves to review current priorities, identify gaps, and provide strategic recommendations for the GC8 funding request, with a focus on strengthening national responses, boosting community engagement, and promoting equity.
The ultimate goal is to ensure that health investments align with The Gambia’s national priorities, achieving impactful, sustainable results for everyone.
The CCM remains deeply committed to an inclusive, transparent, and country-driven process that ensures the voices and needs of all stakeholders are reflected in the ongoing fight against HIV, TB, and malaria.
Together, we can make a difference! 🤝

The CCM Oversight Committee concluded its second-quarter field visit last week. The visit evaluated the use of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs) in communities across Western Health Regions 1 and 2. It also allowed us to engage with community members, village health workers, Alkalos, and other stakeholders on the importance of proper, consistent ITN use in preventing malaria. It helped us identify some of the factors that affect its use.

The team observed encouraging progress in awareness and use of ITNs, but also identified gaps and challenges that require enhanced community engagement, effective behavior-change communication, and ongoing collaboration among partners.

We sincerely appreciate the cooperation and commitment of community members, health workers, regional health teams, partners, and all stakeholders throughout this initiative. Together, we will continue strengthening our efforts to reduce malaria and protect communities nationwide.

Thanks for being a top engager and making it onto my weekly engagement list! 🎉 Jeffery Smith, Lamin Fofana, Bakary Jarjusey

The Gambia is making significant progress in its partnership with the Global Fund! The recently concluded in-country mission reviewed our progress and planned the transition to Grant Cycle 8 (GC8).
Key highlights of the mission include moving toward a "One Principal Recipient" (PR) model to streamline our efforts to combat HIV, TB, and malaria. A huge round of applause goes to the government for incorporating 24 lab staff into the national payroll, setting a true example for sustainable healthcare. There is infrastructure upgrading, from oxygen plants to new CT scans, to ensure that every Gambian has access to quality diagnostics. As the malaria, TB, and HIV programs align to launch together in 2027, the focus remains clear: Integration, Transparency, and Community Impact.
The team spent a week on the ground, visiting sites such as Kanifing Hospital and the Central Medical Stores, to observe the tangible impact of Global Fund investments in health programs.
Achievements: -
The new systematic TB screening has tripled the number of identified cases in some areas, underscoring that early detection saves lives. HIV care has improved thanks to the incredible work of support groups like Gamnas, which has successfully brought nearly 1,000 people back into care and treatment.
The Village Health Workers are the backbone of this success, and we are committed to better supporting them as we move into the next funding cycle. The determination of the Gambian people is our strongest asset.
Recommendations:
1. Strengthen the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) by consolidating recommendations from the Capability Assessment Tool (CAT) to address operational weaknesses.
2. Formally leverage and enhance the role of Village Health Workers as the backbone of integrated service delivery.
3. Ensure that the GC8 funding request is transparent, priority-driven, and includes robust roles for civil society.

Today, April 30, 2026, the Global Fund Country Team is at Kanifing General Hospital to discuss and gain insights into the Programmatic Quality Enhancement (PQE) pilot projects. Launched in January 2026, the PQE initiative's primary objective is to address the "missing gap" of undiagnosed tuberculosis cases by shifting from passive to active case finding. Preliminary data from the first two months show a significant increase in both presumptive case identification and confirmed diagnoses compared with the previous year.
The objectives of the project are to: - Bridge the diagnostic gap by identifying patients who are undiagnosed, diagnosed late, or treated late due to structural and systemic barriers. - Implement active case finding by proactively screening all patients in high-risk areas and outpatient settings, rather than waiting for patients to report symptoms.
• Strengthen the healthcare system by enhancing healthcare workers' capacity, improving documentation, and optimizing diagnostic workflows.
• Achieve the Zero TB Vision, contributing to the national goal of establishing a TB-free society through early detection and timely treatment initiation. **
Achievements:
• Compared with January 2025, the PQE project nearly doubled the number of presumptive cases identified in January 2026. The availability of a dedicated storage fridge enables 24-hour sample collection, preventing diagnostic delays on weekends. The program has significantly increased awareness among staff and the community of ventilation and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face masks.
• The X-ray Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) system has been vital for clinical diagnoses, particularly when sputum samples are unavailable. Additionally, the Quality Improvement Team framework has fostered better collaboration across medical specialties, including TB/HIV and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Thank you, Kanifing General Hospital, for making this pilot project successful. We hope to see it implemented nationwide.

The CT mission continues today with meetings involving the National Malaria Control Program, Primary Health Care, PCU, LFA, and other stakeholders. Presentations covered GC 7's financial progress, 2026 priorities, challenges faced, and proposed areas for support.

The Global Fund Country Team, led by the Fund portfolio manager for Gambia and Senegal, Mark Taylor, has officially begun a mission to The Gambia, running from yesterday through Friday. The mission reaffirms the Global Fund's strong commitment to supporting The Gambia's national response to HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria. It highlights the ongoing partnership between the Global Fund and The Gambia to advance resilient and sustainable health systems and accelerate efforts to end HIV, TB, and malaria.
The primary objectives of this mission are to review and discuss key aspects of the GC8 allocation letter, evaluate the warehouse's construction, discuss coordination and management of the grant, and assess the country's readiness for GC8 implementation.
The first day included various presentations from the ministry and programs regarding grant implementation, financial progress, pharmaceutical supply management, and supply chain strategies related to the GC8 quantification roadmap. Additionally, updates were provided on the strengthening activities for the Health Management Information System/District Health Information Software 2 (HMIS/DHIS 2).
Throughout the week, the team will convene key stakeholders, including government representatives, implementing partners, and civil society members, for strategic discussions and program reviews. The aim is to strengthen implementation and field engagement, assess progress, enhance impact, and address priority challenges across the three disease programs. The team will also share insights and identify opportunities to improve service delivery and sustainability.

The first day included various presentations by the ministry and its programs on grant implementation, financial progress, pharmaceutical supply management, and supply chain strategies related to the GC8 quantification roadmap. Additionally, updates were provided on the strengthening activities for the Health Management Information System/District Health Information Software 2 (HMIS/DHIS 2).

April 25, 2026, The Gambia proudly joined the global community in commemorating World Malaria Day, led by the Ministry of Health through the National Malaria Control Program, under the inspiring theme: “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can, Now We Must.”
The purpose of this commemoration is to raise awareness and renew commitments to address one of the most persistent health challenges in Africa. Eliminating malaria should not be viewed as just an aspiration but as an achievable goal through sustained pledges and collective effort.
The celebration brought together government officials, healthcare workers, community leaders, and partners, all united in the fight against malaria. Through engaging discussions, community outreach, and awareness activities, the message was clear: we already possess the tools, knowledge, and partnerships necessary to end malaria; what remains is sustained action.
A sincere appreciation to the Chinese Government for its generous support in providing iCCM drugs to hard-to-reach communities, and to the Red Cross for its invaluable partnership and commitment to ensuring that these life-saving commodities reach the most vulnerable populations. Your collaboration continues to strengthen community health systems and improve access to essential care where it is needed most.
This contribution will go a long way in supporting the delivery of integrated community case management services, helping to prevent and treat common childhood illnesses, and ultimately saving lives.
Your solidarity and commitment to global health, especially in underserved areas, are deeply appreciated. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of many communities.
While significant progress has been made, malaria continues to affect families and communities. This is why our collective commitment is more crucial than ever. By consistently using insecticide-treated nets, seeking prompt testing and treatment, and supporting community-led interventions, each of us plays a vital role in ending malaria.
The time to act is now. Together, we are driven. Together, we can. And together, we must achieve a world free of malaria.
Malaria Starts With Me.
Malaria Starts With You.
Malaria Starts With Everyone.