Dr Ahmed Secka has been appointed the new chief medical director of the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) with effect from Thursday, January 26th, 2012. He replaces Professor Ousman Nyan, the provost of the School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences at the University of The Gambia (UTG).

Dr Secka, a Senegalese national, bagged a doctorate degree in Medicine at the University of Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, Senegal in 1995. He also attended series of international trainings in the field of health, such as strategic and operational planning ASPA at the University of Kwazulu Natal in Durban, South Africa in 2007. He obtained a Diploma in Blood Transfusion Medicine from Nakasero Blood Bank Uganda in 2003, and went on to receive training on prevention cardiovascular diseases CDC/IUHPE in Accra Ghana in 2004, among others.

Reacting to his appointment, Dr. Secka told the Daily Observer  that he feels honoured to be chosen out of the 1.7 million Gambians to carry this specific task. He also described the appointment as a big challenge but promised to leave up to expectation. He hailed the good vision of the Gambian leader, saying “His Excellency has a good vision for this country in particular, the health sector”.
 
Dr Secka finally assured that he will contribute his quota towards achieving the set targets for the health sector. “We will do everything possible to satisfy the general public’s needs at the RVTH. It is time for action and all hands should be on deck in order to achieve the set targets for the health sector,” he added.