Gambian lawmaker honoured as African Health Champion

By Michaella Faith Wright

Gambian MP Modou Lamin Bah, who represents Banjul North, has been recognised by the French National Assembly as one of six African Health Champions at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi.

The honour followed high‑level talks between French and African parliamentarians on strengthening cooperation in global health. Bah described the award as a collective achievement: “This recognition is not mine alone. It belongs to every health advocate fighting for equity across our continent.”

Discussions at the summit centred on five pillars: parliamentary diplomacy, access to healthcare, health financing, stronger parliamentary cooperation, and the legislation of health as a right. Bah stressed the importance of partnerships, saying: “The lesson is clear: there can be no health sovereignty without people‑centered partnerships.”

He thanked organisations including The Global Fund, WACI Health, GFAN Africa Region and the Gambia National Assembly for supporting the engagement, and pledged to continue advocating for equitable health systems. “For Banjul North. For The Gambia. For Africa. The work continues,” he said.