Gov’t, doctors reach agreement as sit down strike ends

The Gambia Association of Resident Doctors GARD and the government of The Gambia have finally reached an agreement following more than a month of sit down strike in all public health facilities across the country.

In a statement written by GARD and signed by its president and secretary general, GARD stated that the Ministry of Health from now on will be held accountable, and “will no longer remain silent and watch our innocent patients die.”

“We would also add that this is inconsistent with our sworn Hippocratic oath which in summary says a doctor must do everything to ensure that his or her patients must get the best services.”

Part of the agreement reached between GARD and the government of The Gambia is for the Ministry of Health to urgently address the essential drugs and medical supplies, poor working condition of health workers and report to the vice president, and also the government to safeguard the rights of doctors by providing them with a conducive working environment, motivation and protection against retribution for their participation on the sit down strike of March 2018 in order to resolve the situation amicably.

According to the agreement, the Ministry of Health should institute and effective communication strategy with the doctors to ensure understanding and cooperation that; the doctors appreciate the government’s commitment to mobilise strategy resources to implement its robust national reform agenda, including the health sector as contained in the National Development Plan.

The agreement was signed by Vice President Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang, the GARD President Ebrima Bah and Dr. Basiru Gai representative of MDAG.