Medical
and Dental Association of The Gambia (MDAG) is a professional body which brings
together all medical practitioners in The Gambia with one of its objective
being: “To provide professional and technical advice, where necessary, to The
Government of The Gambia, Nongovernmental, Multilateral and Bilateral Agencies
in the concerted national effort of improving health care for all in The
Gambia”.
Political
environment however affects our work and peace is an essential prerequisite for
health. We are therefore obliged to speak against any factor that may cause
unrest and therefore affect the physical, social or spiritual wellbeing of our
population.
Having
keenly followed the presidential election process of December 2016, we note
that it was hailed by all as free and fair and even described by the incumbent
president as the most transparent in the world immediately the results were
announced and he conceded defeat.
It
is therefore of great concern that he, one week later, described it as unfair
and suggested annulling it and calling for another election.
This
declaration has the potential of causing unrest in the country. It is our duty
to inform all concerned that the health facilities in the country do not have
the human or material resources to deal with the eventualities that come with
either civil or military unrest.
We
would therefore like to urge the outgoing president to, in the spirit of peace
and love for country, reverse his position and hand over power to the elected
government.
We
would, in the same vein, encourage the military personnel to focus on
protecting the population and go about their business in a professional manner
as protectors of their brethren and sisters.
Our
plea is both in our capacity as professionals and as concerned citizens.
We
the doctors, as custodians of the health of our people, promise to work with
any government elected by the people, to further peace and will not be part of
any activity that will fuel unrest.
In
case of unrest, which we want all factions to avoid, we will, unlike other
professions, continue to work to save and maintain lives and health of our
countrymen to the best of our abilities.
We
therefore encourage the security forces to put, as part of their plans, ways of
ensuring that doctors and other health professionals have free and safe
movement in case of any unrest so that they can fulfill their professional
duties.
We
thank all Gambians and both the outgoing and elected governments for prevailing
on their supporters to maintain peace.
Long
live The Gambia!
Dr
Abubacarr Jah
President
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