The forum attracted participants from the Health Ministry, National Environmental Agency (NEA), CSOs, and teachers among others. The event -focused on Environmental Pollution and Prevention as its relates to risk of Asthma infection in the community; Live Experience of living as asthmatic in the Gambia, and asthma and respiratory disease and prevention.
Welcoming the gathering, Joseph I. Awuru, executive director of Hope Life International, said the organisation is aimed at supporting the less privileged and help people in disaster.
The event, also seeks to raise awareness as well as help to empower the average Gambian and provide sustainable projects for the poor.
“Since 2008/09 we have been sponsoring students, distribute humanitarian aid and we have been sensitizing people on Female Genital Mutilation (GFM),”.
Moving forward, he said the sensitisation will greatly arm participants with the needed skills and knowledge on asthma, and its related matters.
“The activity also helps to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders in the health sector to integrate asthma into national health policies and frameworks of multi-sectoral taskforces on asthma,” he said.
In his presentation, Morris Anymi, executive director of the Child and Environment Development Association, reminded that the best gift to a child is to ensure his good health and social protection.
“Before one start anything for a child he or she should ensure its good health. It is the most important thing on earth,” he said.
He observed that there is a need for all to understand their asthmatic status and that of their children.
“There is a need for more advocacy to encourage active participation at community level to promote a sense of ownership and responsibility in creating a healthier environment for children with asthma,” he informed.
Further in the presentation, he advised CSOs to increase community engagement and participation in asthma management initiatives, support in establishing a support network, community driven advocacy efforts and a sustainable framework for agencies involved in asthma education and environmental integration with communities.
Abdou Saho, programme officer at Directorate of Health Promotion and Education while describing the event as significant, disclosed that the Health Ministry, National Environmental Agency and relevant stakeholders are working harder to ensure a healthy environment for all.
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