AoHJ elects new leadership

The election was held at Insight Training Center in Sinchu Alagie.

The theme for the congress was "Strengthening the Health Sector with Positive Health Reporting."

Those elected are Sally Jarju as president, Kebba Ansu Manneh as vice president, Ousman A. Marong as secretary general, Sheriff Saidykhan as assistant secretary general, Bakary Manneh alias Big Sam as treasurer, Salifu Touray as assistant treasurer, Yusupha Bojang as PRO, Bakary S. Dampha as assistant PRO. Auditor General's position went to Ebrima Njie Fadera while Yassin Gibba and Ablie Mendy Paco were co-opted.

The General Assembly offered members the opportunity to keep AoHJ issues alive.

The Association was established in 2000 and mandated to amplify the voice of the voiceless. It is committed not to only praise the Ministry of Health programmes but also to monitor their implementation.

President-elect Sally Jarju described the election as historic, noting that they have collectively put aside their differences to worked towards a common goal which is to serve the interest of AoHJ.

She added: "My team is a very vibrant one and we are ready to serve members in particular and the entire Gambia in general by providing members with the requisite training for them to better inform the masses. We will strengthen our partnership with old friends and make new partners to expand on our activities. The Gambia continues to face the burden of emerging diseases like Non-Communicable Diseases and communicable diseases.”

She pointed out that the role of media in informing people on health issues is crucial and therefore implored on members to report accurately and give health issues due consideration. She went on to say that their doors are open to suggestions that will shape the association for the better.

Ousman A. Marong, sectary general of the network thanked everyone who in one way or the other contributed to the success of the event.

 According to Mr Marong, the reason for the theme is because the vast majority of Gambians do not trust the health sector including its doctors and nurses.

He however stated that they want to restore the confidence people had in health personnel and the health sector.

He added that they plan to pursue with vigour and aggression capacity-building training for their members.

He concluded by encouraging non-members to join AoHJ in its quest to fight against all misinformations and lack of trust in our nurses, doctors and the health sector.