By Sailu Bah
National Traditional Medicine day will be launched, for the first time in The Gambia, 
on Saturday, 17th January 2015.
This was revealed by Modou Njie, the Director of Health Promotion, at a press briefing held on Thursday, 15 January 2015, at the Health Department Complex in Kotu.Mr. Njie revealed that the theme for the occasion is ‘Promotion and Development of Traditional and Alternative Medicine to Enhance Quality Health Service’.
The Director of Health Promotion underscored the importance of this event, adding that it is very important for the media to disseminate the information to the general public for the masses to be aware of this event.
Mr. Njie said the event will be launched on Saturday at Kanilai to be presided over by the president of the Gambia, adding this will include a lot of activities such as the showcasing of products of 100 traditional medicine practitioners.
He said traditional healing is an alternative to conventional medicine, adding that the Ministry of Health deems it important to incorporate traditional medicine and alternative treatment its programme and to have it high on its agenda.
Mr. Njie said previously people practicing traditional medicine use to hide, but since President Jammeh got involved in the practice, people are now free to come out and seek for treatment.
The Director of Health Promotion said the Ministry of Health has registered a lot of achievements in trying to bring together traditional healers and facilitate in the building of an organised structure for them, adding that this is what is responsible for the smooth running of the affairs of the traditional healers. He said anyone who does not register with the proper authority will not be recognised by the Ministry of Health.
He concluded by inviting the general public to participate in the national event and make it successful.]]>
