ECOWAS and GIZ Assess Hospitals in Bafatá and Gabú, Guinea-Bissau

A joint delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through the Regional Stabilization and Development Fund (RSDF), and the German Cooperation via GIZ visited Guinea-Bissau from 13 to 23 October 2026. The mission aimed to evaluate the operational capacities of the regional hospitals in Bafatá and Gabú.

Experts conducted this work in direct coordination with government authorities, technical services, regional health officials, and management teams of both facilities. Initial findings were presented to relevant national bodies, including the RSDF National Advisory Committee and the Ministry of Public Health.

Challenges Identified in Both Hospitals

At the Bafatá Regional Hospital, the mission highlighted the absence of a structured system for managing solid waste. The facility faces a shortage of qualified staff, exacerbating challenges in delivering healthcare, particularly for respiratory diseases.

At the Gabú Regional Hospital, assessments revealed a non-functional incinerator. The hospital suffers from a lack of specialized technicians, limited operational flexibility in management decisions, and obstacles in water supply and sanitation infrastructure.

Six Priority Areas for Technical Support

Consultations and technical visits led to the identification of six key intervention areas:

• Strengthening administrative and financial management and digitizing hospital information systems;
• Improving the quality of care and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms;
• Maintaining medical infrastructure and biomedical equipment;
• Upgrading hospital hygiene and handwashing water points;
• Establishing or reinforcing hospital waste management systems;
• Enhancing access to potable water through technical diagnostics and regular treatment protocols.

The next steps involve finalizing and formally validating findings with institutional stakeholders. These efforts will inform the development of a prioritized, costed action plan, subject to RSDF eligibility criteria, available budgetary resources, and institutional procedures.