By Maimuna Sey-Jawo
The Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia (MRCG) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Horizon Trust, Baylor University of Medicine and Baylor University convened a two-day stakeholders training on West Africa Regional Horizons held at MRCG Unit conference hall in Fajara.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Permanent Secretary at MoHSW Dr. Cherno Omar Barry thanked the MRCG for hosting the event in the Gambia.
The Gambia, he added, has high hopes for Horizons, “thus Gambia need and deserve a world-class healthcare provision specifically, and the need for accessible, equitable and high quality maternal and infant health care in the Gambia.”
He noted that Horizons represents a unique event that will outlive all of us, “Gambia is committed to this endeavour and we are proud to be working in partnership with horizons as we move closer toward the Gambia dream of long, happy and healthy future.”
The MoHSW PS went on to say Horizons Trust has already been doing outstanding work in Serekunda health centre, Fajikunda Health Centre and more recently in the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, adding that in Serekunda and Fajikunda health centres, the horizon trust has installed solar powered electricity, cleaned out their childbirth facilities, and embark on educating and training midwives and orderly staff in infection control and prevention.
In his welcoming remarks, Professor Umberto d’ Alessandro, director of MRCG, said: “The unit’s research concentrates on communicable diseases of direct concern to The Gambia and the African continent, for the purpose of minimising the burden of illness and mortality in the country and the developing world as a whole. It conducts research in nutrition, reproductive health and non-communicable diseases.”
