A four-day communicators’ workshop on the introduction of the new Conjugate Meningitis A vaccine is underway at the Paradise Suites hotel. The workshop, organised by the World Health Organisation, is aimed at resolving epidemic meningitis as a public health problem. The workshop commenced yesterday and ends on Friday, 29th September 2006.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Yusupha Dibba, the Permanent Secretary Department of State for Communication, Information and Technology, who depuitised for Secretary of State Neheh Macdoull-Gaye, said the workshop is not only important but very timely as meningitis is a dreaded and painful killer of children and adults, whom he described as the engine of economic growth and development. “This disease has been causing chaos and catastrophic human social and economic repercussion to the people and governments of sub-Saharan Africa,” he stated.

Mr Dibba said that this is not sustainable at a time when resources are dwindling in both developed and developing countries in the face of competing health and other interests, adding that the meningitis outbreak known to be causing havoc in sub-Saharan Africa needs a tangible solution.

“This is a laudable initiative which requires commitment in human, material and economic terms at the levels of our governments, our people, the private sector and non governmental organizations,” he noted. Permanent Secretary Dibba also assured participants of the Gambia government’s support under the leadership of President-elect, Dr. Alh Yahya Jammeh, whom he described as a strong advocate for health.

For her part Mrs Agnes Kuye, who depuitised for the WHO representative in The Gambia, Dr Nestor Shivute, said that it is by no mistake that the workshop is being organized at this point in time as sub-Saharan Africa has suffered repeated epidemics of meningitis, maiming hundreds of thousands of people over recent decades. “This project offers a window of opportunity for Africa to say good bye to meningitis,” he noted, adding that the impact of the disease on individuals and their families is such that an epidemic can quickly turn into social, human and economic disaster for the affected countries.

“I wish to thank the government of The Gambia, the Medical Research Council and UNICEF for their roles in this project,” she said. Mrs Kuye concluded that what is now left is to translate knowledge and resources into concrete actions, citing the role of the media as critical in the process.