The course was attended by 19 students and was organised by the National Heath Laboratory Service at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul. The course was funded by the Global Fund for Tuberculosis in collaboration with the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, held at the school of Nursing and Midwifery in Banjul, the course co-ordinator, Mr. Kalifa Manneh, said the training started in 2006 with support from the PHPNP at the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare. Since then, he continued, the course has been funded by the department along with a number of partners, such as the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and the World Health Organisation.

He stated that the criteria for the training programme are five credits with a West African Senior Secondary School certificate. These qualifications must include at least three science subjects together with a credit in English and mathematics.

He further stated that the current batch of graduates consists of 19 laboratory personnel who covered topics in the main areas of medical microbiology namely, clinical chemistry, histopathology and cytopathology.

“These students are also attached to various sections of the laboratory throughout the training and this gives them time to work in the laboratory and acquire more skills in various areas,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the public relations officer at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital, Mr. Baboucarr Ngum, advised the graduates to maintain discipline, patience and always be ready to work. He also advised the graduates to create a strong relationship between them and patients.

Mr. Ngum used the occasion to thank the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare for the tremendous contribution to the health sector.

Speaking on behalf of the chief medical director at the RVTH, Mr. Tuman Janneh said, “today’s ceremony is of the utmost importance because it entails the training of crucial staff for the health sector.”

He also stressed the importance of well-trained staff who can carry out their duties to a high standard. He strongly urged the graduates to stick to their work ethics and always have an interest in their patients. He finally urged the graduates to work diligently and honestly.