It came on Thursday in Banjul following a recent move by government through the health ministry to integrate traditional medicine into the country’s healthcare system for better healthcare service delivery.
Speaking, Omar Sey, the minister of Health and Social Welfare said one of the main purposes of both the medicine agency and the pharmacy council is to regulate and maintain the highest standard in pharmacy operation in The Gambia. He noted that the pharmacy council will ensure that there is high enforcement of pharmacy practices and training of staff, both private and public at all times. “The ball is in your court. This is long overdue and you have to start work now,” he admonished the newly-minted boards. The minister also gave assurance of his office’s support and collaboration for them to effectively carry out their duties as expected and in the best interest of the general public.
Ismaila Sanyang, deputy permannet secretary at the Office of the President, while thanking the president for approving the membership of the medicine control agency, said more needs to be done to consolidate the gains registered on population growth. “I want to call on the appointees to work hard in ensuring that Gambians have quality healthcare service delivery without hindrance. I also want to assure you of our support at all times in order for you to execute your duties well.”
In his remark, Momodou Cham, registrar of pharmacist council said since the start of pharmacy practice in The Gambia, there has never been a pharmacy council put in place. “There has always been the dental and medical council and nurses and mid-wives council. So having this board in place now is really a right move in the right direction. This body you have created today will work very hard to ensure that the highest standard of pharmacy practice is delivered to this country. The purpose of protecting the practice is to simply protect the health of the people,” he added.
Other speakers at the ceremony included Dr Nyambi Touray of the Veterinary Practitioners Association and Mr Abubacarr Sillah of the Herbal Practitioners Association. Other members of the boards are Dr Omar Jagne of the medical and dental Council, Bakary Gassama, the director general of National Drug Enforcement Agency, Jimmy Olu Coker, president of the Pharmaceutical Society of The Gambia, Sulayman Sillah of the Consumer Association, Cherno Marena, solicitor general and legal secretary, Abdourahman Bah, chairman, Amadou Ceesay of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Essa Camara, head of training, Mrs Markieu Janneh-Kaiara, executive director and secretary of the board and Mrs Foutamatta Jah-Sowe, a member.
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