Behind every story lies a combination of problems that, when added together, make access to healthcare extremely difficult.
In many areas of The Gambia, healthcare facilities are few and often far from the villages. To reach a hospital, some families must travel many kilometres and face transport costs that not everyone can afford.
Even when people manage to reach a healthcare facility, the necessary staff, equipment or medicines are not always available. Many healthcare workers operate with limited resources and have few opportunities for professional development, while population growth increases the pressure on the healthcare system every year.
This is compounded by the spread of chronic diseases, the shortage of prevention programmes and the economic difficulties that force many people to delay treatment until the situation becomes critical.
As a result, treatable illnesses can turn into emergencies, and simple interventions may come too late.