NMTC as it is referred to is a policy recommending body that oversees medication management in health systems. Also, the committee, which comprising medicine experts, is tasked with the responsibility of formulating and implementing policies on medicines selection and use in The Gambia.
Welcoming the gathering, Dr. Mustapha Bittaye, director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, described the event as historic and thanked the members for accepting the challenge.
The group, he said, is a diverse one looking at the composition of members, saying they are lucky to have members who are committed to help improve health services delivery in the country.
Dr. Bittaye expressed hope that that the group would perform to expectation, further expressing the Ministry’s resolve in working with members in due execution of their work.
In his inaugural statement, Muhammed Lamin Jaiteh, permanent secretary one at the Ministry of Health, described the event as yet another important milestone in the annals of the Ministry in that they are inaugurating this important and timely body.
“The National Medicines and Therapeutic Committee is a policy recommending body that oversees medication management in health systems. The composition includes not just pharmacists, but also physicians, nurses, administrators, risk and quality improvement managers. It is a high-level advisory body that oversees an organizational link between medical staff and the pharmacy departments.”
Henceforth, the committees, he added, would also help in making policies related to the use of various drugs in the health care system.
"It also evaluates, educates and advises medical staff and organization administrators on all matters about the use of medication.” he added.
PS Jaiteh informed that the committee has several roles and objectives and that among its objectives is to oversee policies and procedures outline the bylaws, rules and regulation, thereby improving the safety of drug therapy outcomes among others in the country.
In his accepting speech, Professor Ousman Nyan, a Senior Physician at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), who is the chairperson of the new committee, on behalf of the members expressed delight to serve in the new committee.
He described the group as a broad one in view of the diverse backgrounds members bring on, saying they are ready to serve and help enhance the country’s health care system.
“It is indeed an honour, but also quite a challenge coming as it is. Fortunately, there is something to build on. This arduous task has been carried before through the shared responsibilities of the Directors of Health Services and National Pharmaceuticals Services.”
Professor Nyan acknowledged that there would be challenges in terms of monitoring, but assured that they would deliver to the best of their abilities.
