Banjul, 15 June 2012 -- The WHO Country Office (WCO) concluded a two-day staff retreat at Seaport Residence Hotel in Bijilo, yesterday. The retreat, better described as a workshop, was held on 13 - 14 June 2012, and was attended by the WR, programme officers and two staff from the Country Support Unit (CSU).

The main objectives of the meeting were:

1. To strengthen skills of participants in resource mobilization as guided by the AFRO Resource Mobilization Strategy;
2. To discuss and identify key areas of focus for WHO in the country to contribute towards attainment of national, regional and global health targets;
3. To outline best options for WCO to engage the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for the attainment of our greed objectives; and
4. To update participants on the ongoing WHO reforms for a healthy future.

In a brief welcome remark, the WR, Dr Thomas Sukwa, thanked staff for their attendance and urged them to do justice to the agenda items slated for discussion. He said that resource mobilization was the main focus of the meeting in light of the current global economic crisis and its impact on the work of the WHO, and the ongoing WHO reforms for a healthy future.

Dr Melville George, retired WHO Staff, who also facilitated the workshop, reiterated similar sentiments and thanked the WR for inviting him to perform this task.

In summary, the meeting went on well, and participants extensively and frankly discussed the issues at hand. Pending finalization and availability of the full report, the following were some of the issues that emerged at the end of the workshop:

1. Resource mobilization in WHO is everybody’s business, and staff are encouraged to use the available tools and guidelines designed to facilitate this process;
2. To overcome some of the bottlenecks identified with the GSM, staff are encouraged to acquaint themselves more with the relevant GSM tools as well as sharing individual experiences with the tool;
3. In relation to the above, there is the need for more orientation for staff at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on GSM issues and how those issues impact on the implementation of our joint POA
4. The need to continue to engage our counterparts in a more strategic manner by advocating for regular dialogue with donors and for the establishment of a donor coordination forum by the health sector.

WCO concludes a two-day staff retreat

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For more details please contact:

Mr. Momodou Gassama, Health Promotion Officer-9331961 Ext. 30805, Office: 00220 4462283/84/86

Mr. George Williams-Health Information Assistant-9900248 Ext.30808

The WHO Gambia Office, New Kotu Layout P.M.B 170, Banjul, The GAMBIA