Since kicking off on 10th November 2025, the “Meet the People Tour” has seen President Adama Barrow, accompanied by government officials and members of parliament, travel across the country to engage directly with constituents. 

Constitutionally mandated, the tour gives the president an opportunity to meet citizens- particularly farmers to hear their concerns and discuss the issues affecting their daily lives.

Claim

During one of the meetings, Sainey Jawara, National Assembly Member for Lower Saloum, claimed that maternal deaths no longer occur in The Gambia. At the 4-minute mark of his statement, he said:

“In the past, when you took a pregnant woman to the hospital, she would deliver and die. But today, that does not happen.”

Context

Hon. Jawara’s remarks came during the “Meet the People Tour,” as he highlighted the progress he attributes to President Adama Barrow’s administration. By stating that maternal deaths no longer occur, he implied that significant improvements in maternal healthcare have been achieved under the current government. His comment reflects a broader narrative often promoted during the tour- that healthcare services, particularly for mothers and children, have improved dramatically in recent years. 

The statement also contrasts current conditions with the past, suggesting that before this administration, maternal mortality was a major concern and that women faced high risks during childbirth. However, this framing sets up a claim that can be verified against national and international data on maternal health.

Fact-Check

Maternal deaths continue to occur in The Gambia. Maternal mortality remains a major public health challenge, and women still die during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days after delivery. The Gambia Demographic and Health Survey notes that maternal mortality remains high, particularly in rural areas where access to quality emergency obstetric care is limited. This underscores the ongoing challenges the country faces in ensuring safe pregnancies and deliveries for all women.

International estimates place The Gambia among the higher maternal mortality rates in Africa, reflecting the persistent risks Gambian mothers face during pregnancy and childbirth.

Even the Ministry of Health acknowledges these ongoing risks. In November 2025, the Ministry published a public advisory warning against home deliveries, highlighting that delivering without skilled help can lead to heavy bleeding, infections, or other dangerous complications, and urging women to seek professional care as soon as labor signs begin.

Verdict: FALSE

Hon. Sainey Jawara’s claim that no woman dies from childbirth in The Gambia is false. Maternal mortality remains a serious public health issue, with women continuing to die each year from pregnancy and childbirth-related complications. 

The data and health advisories clearly contradict the statement.