The Gambia, on Friday July 9th,  joined the rest of the world to mark the 23rd anniversary of the West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO) Traditional Healers Medicine Day, with the theme; "Promotion of traditional medicine to improve access to quality health care in the ECOWAS sub-region."The celebration was held at the Semega Janneh Hall in Tallinding.

Speaking at the occasion, the director of Health Services Dr. Mamady Cham said that, on this momentous day in our history, it is proper that we take a step back to reflect on our common objective of striving to reduce the heavy disease burden in the sub-region and the rededicate ourselves to this cause.

"Our region has still not been spared of the scourge of epidemics such as (H1N1), cholera and fever. Dengue fever has taken its toll on the people of the Cape Verde affecting more than 20 000 people, and more than 150 confirmed cases of A(H1N1) influenza, have been reported in Ghana, Nigeria, Cape Verde and Cote d'Ivorire.The region has also experienced meningitis epidemics with over 56 000 reported cases in Nigeria and 13, 000 in Niger. In addition, endemic diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis are still of public health concern. Quite disturbingly, despite the many interventions and initiatives that have been launched, maternal and neonatal mortality remain unacceptably high with little progress made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015," he explained.

The deputy mayor of KMC, Yusupha Sanyang said WAHO collaborates with WHO in the promotion of health and like the WHO, they have set a day aside in the calendar which they celebrate every year to show case their undertakings in the promotion of health. "This is also the occasion when they assess progress in the development of health in all member states, and as well chart the way forward," he added.He noted that the theme of the celebration has vindicated The Gambia, because under the able leadership of the president His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh who is also a renowned traditional healer and also the adopted father of traditional healers of The Gambia, the country has seen vast improvements in the field of health.

"Health invariably is on the priority areas of the president's government," deputy mayor Sanyang remarked."Reflecting on the theme I wish to remind everybody in Africa that more than 60% of patients consult the traditional healers first. It can  therefore be seen how central traditional medicine is in the area of health care provision in Africa,"he concluded.