Speaking at the occasion, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Malick Njie, said WAHO is committed to the control of HIV/AIDS in the areas of prevention, care and treatment of patients.

He stated that improving maternal and child nutrition are necessary for improving economic growth, adding that investing in nutrition means investing in human and social capital which are key components for increased productivity at the national, regional, district, community and family levels.

Delivering his statement at the ceremony on the theme of the celebration “Health and Nutrition for Sustainable “Development Mr. Modou Phall, executive director of Nana, said food is essential for health and survival noting that without sufficient food, the body’s ability to function normally is impaired.

Mr. Phall pointed out that in The Gambia, malnutrition continues to be a major public health problem exacerbated by poverty, food deficiency, rural-urban migration, environmental degradation, poor dietary habits, low literacy levels, poor sanitation, infection and a high population growth rate.

Modou Njie, Nutrition focal –person DOSH, said better Nutrition is a prime entry point to ending poverty and a milestone to achieving a better quality of life.

He said WAHO has traditionally focused attention on a vast scale on the many forms of nutritional deficiency. He added that good nutrition in infancy is a necessary condition for the development of human capital.

The vote of thanked was delivered by Alh.Omar Taal, WAHO liaison officer DOSH.