Press release
The Government of The Gambia, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (W.H.O.), in partnership with The Gambia Association of Traditional Herbalists, came up with a situational analysis report on traditional medicine in The Gambia. A lot of facts and findings have been investigated and confirmed in this report. This was done as early as 2006/2007, and the Government decided to create a program office under the Ministry of Health.
A focal person was identified within the State Department of Health, designated as the Programme Manager on traditional medicine. The manager helps us to coordinate the affairs of the traditional herbalist association in The Gambia.
In 2009 a National umbrella organization was formed called TRADITIONAL HEALERS ASSEMBLY THE GAMBIA-(TRAHASS).
In 2010 a National Traditional Medicine Strategic Plan was formulated under the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare lasting for a period of five years – 2010-2015 with the objective of promoting traditional medicine in combating diseases that are prevalent in The Gambia as well as fostering better relationship or partnership between Department of Health and Traditional Healers in improving the health welfare of our communities among many others.
According to the strategic plan, the Ministry of Health was supposed to bring about a government Policy, enacted by our National Assembly as law, unfortunately the final enacted Policy was and had not yet been approved of up to date. Traditional medicine being a community-based activity, it will strengthened and support the Basic/ Primary health care program. Therefore, we urge all our partners to help in updating and enacting the TM policy.
On the 7th of March, 2021, TRAHASS had a congress at its Headquarters in Brikama.
The newly elected executive is as follows:
NO. NAMES POSITION
1 MR SALIEU PUYE PRESIDENT
2 MALANG KUJABI VICE PRESIDENT
3 ALASANA FOFANA SECRETARY
4 SAINEY CAMARA ASST. SECRETARY
5 BAMBA SILLAH PRO
6 MORRO KASSAMA TREASURER
7 ALGASSIMEU JALLOW ASST. TREASURER
8 KAWSU FATTY AUDITOR
9 ALGASSIM JALLOW ASST. AUDITOR
10 YUNUSA SONKO MALE ORGANIZER
11 SIABATU JARJU FEMALE ORGANIZER
12 OUSMAN CAMARA NATIONAL CHAIR MAN
13 PROFESSOR RITA ADVISER
14 FABAKARY BOJANG ADVISER
15 BALLA TAMBA ADVISER
16 ALHAGIE HABIB FOFANA ADVISER
17 ALHAGIE YUSUPHA JABBIE ADVISER
18 AJARATU TABARA DEM ADVISER
19 MUHAMMED SIDIBEH ADVISER
