The Cuban Medical Team in The Gambia, last Friday, observed its 9th Scientific Day at a ceremony held at the School of Nursing and Midwifery in Banjul.

The annual event is aimed at providing a common forum for health personnel, stakeholders as well as academics in the health domain, to discuss crucial health issues in an interactive way. Dr Suiberto Hechavarria Toledo, the head of the Cuban Medical Team in The Gambia, described the event as a success. He revealed that in June 16th 1999, a group of 158 doctors came to The Gambia.  

According to him, their team focuses on three areas as defined in the intergovernmental agreement between The Gambia and Cuba namely comprehensive medical assistance, training of human resource and giving expert advice to national programs, and health research.

Dr Suiberto pointed out that out of the 42 public health institutions in The Gambia, the Cuban Medical team covers 16. "In October 1999, the first course at the Medical School started, and this was the first centre for higher studies in The Gambia," he said.He further revealed that their doctors, in collaboration with Gambians, have succeeded in reducing some of the infectious diseases in the country.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Mariatou Jallow, the secretary of state for Health and Social Welfare, hailed the bilateral relationship that exists between the two countries and urged the doctors to keep up the good work. The Health and Social Welfare SoS expressed her department's resolve to create an enabling environment for the full participation of medical practitioners in the delivery of quality health services.
The ceremony was also included by PowerPoint presentations on thematic areas like pedagogical research.  

Also present at the ceremony were the Venezuela ambassador and the representative of the WHO in The Gambia. The ceremony was chaired by Dr Olqa Cala, a Cuban doctor.