Dr Musa Touray the founder of Bijilo Medical Centre, last Wednesday hosted a symposium at the Centre, on the theme 'Doctoring Together' geared towards bringing together doctors and medical practitioners in The Gambia in a quest to improve and provide quality medical service.

In his opening remarks, Dr Mustapha Bittaye of RVTH stated that it's important for doctors in the medical profession to come together and work towards improving the quality and confidence in the medical sector.

For his part, Dr Omar Jagne, director of AFRICMED said getting doctors to work together has been very difficult and he lauded Dr Touray for the initiative.

Dr Jagne, said the lack of quality and standard mental treatment facilities added to hindrances in the develpment of the mental health treatment. He added that there is the need to sensitize the public on the biological causes and symptoms of mental illness so that people can seek assistance faster when cases occur.


He also stated that there is an urgent need to encourage and develop psyco-therapy to help in curbing mental problems in its early stages

For her part, Madame L. Khadara, the proprietress of Malak Chemist who deliberated on "The Impact of the local Pharmacy on Health Care in The Gambia", said that for an effective administration of drugs, doctors need to come togther and help in complementing governments efforts in the health sector towards fulfilling the MDGs.

Other speakers at the occassion included Dr Lamin Jaiteh of the school of medicine. He stressed the need for an increased input by Gambians. .He further noted the important of investing in technology and the provision of private facilities, which he said is indispensable in achieving a quality medical service.

In his vote of thanks, Dr H.Azadeh of the BMC congratulated Dr Touray for hosting a much needed gathering and further noted that doctors wherever they are share one aim, that is to save lives. Dr Azadeh recommended that such symposium should be constant to help doctors reaching out together and further unify the medical service.