In what could be described as a landmark achievement, Dr. Yankuba Gassama, a former Secretary of State for Health under the APRC administration, has lately bagged a top international appointment. Dr. Gassama has been appointed as Chief Medical Officer and Chief Surgeon by the African Union in Addis Ababa.

A native Sarra Kunda in Sabach Sanjal, Dr. Gassama got his MB.ch.B (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 1986, FRCS (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons) of the UK in 1996, FWASC (Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons) in 2003, Certificate of Public Health Practice from the Centre for International Health, National University of Taiwan in 1999 and Endescopic Urological Surgical training for general surgeons from the University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan in 2006.

In addition to his enviable academic track record, Dr Gassama also has diverse work experience, having  worked as Consultant Surgeon and Head of Surgery of RVTH in 1997 as well as serving as Director of Health Services from 1998 to 2001.  

He was appointed as Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare in 2001 and he served till 2005. He was the Head of Surgical Science Department of the University of The Gambia and Senior Consultant Surgeon and Head of Surgery of the RVTH from 2005 to date.

Dr. Gassama, 49, is reported to have already flown to Addis Ababa some time in July to take up his new assignment.