COVID-19 challenges: The Gambia situation and probable solutions

Abstract

Unlike past pandemics, the coronavirus has peculiarly surged worldwide with many countries adopting preventive measures suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, levels of observance of these measures come with challenges that vary across countries, depending on the sociocultural environment. The Gambia, one of the smallest country in West Africa with a low-income economy experienced great challenges in the face of this pandemic in all sectors, especially in the healthcare systems, socio-cultural factors, education, trade and tourism sectors. Some of these challenges are difficulty to enforce social/physical distancing measures and lack of funds to adequately and properly institute quarantine. Strict enforcement of the state of emergency regulations and the continuous sensitization of individuals to be responsible for their health and wellness is one way of mitigating the spread of the virus. Additionally, seeking professional support, training, occupational health and safety, postponement of the payment of loans and interest, provision of tax breaks for tourism establishments and supporting public-private partnership in the establishment of a Gambian registered airline, are ways to minimize the impact of this and any future pandemic. Keywords: