University of The Gambia Medical Students’ Association (UnGaMSA) on Saturday inaugurated a new executive at the School of Medicine, Marina Parade, Banjul.

Speaking at the occasion, the out-going President of UnGaMSA, Mr Abodu K Sillah, said over the past two years, their association has registered significant achievements, which have remarkably earned them love and admiration of the whole university community, including security standard, lab coats for medical students, computers and internet facility.

He added that, the association also faces daunting challenges, which include accommodation, learning materials, transportation, and so on. “It is important for medical students to realise that UnGaMSA stands and serves as undoubtedly the unique forum to table our common problems and seek lasting solutions, through positive dialogue”, he said.

He added that, the leadership of this association should not be seen as radical, but as partners in development. “Our struggles are surely geared towards complementing the efforts of the university and the gov’t in improving the status of the medical school.

“To the incoming President and his executive, we have given you a great responsibility to stay close to us, to be worthy of us and to exemplify what we are.

Our strength will compensate your weakness and our wisdom will minimise your mistakes. You have a heavy duty on your shoulders in spearheading the interest and welfare of the medical students, your journey begins today and you will be called to sacrifice your precious time and resources for the welfare of your brothers and sisters. I call on you to exercise absolute patience, hard work, sacrifice, openness, determination, dedication and commitment, argumented by endless prayers”, he said.

Mr Sillah urged his fellow students to laugh together, work together and pray together, and be confident that in the end they will triumph together in life.

For his part, the incoming President, Mr Bully Camara, said that this is a crucial moment for the association and its membership, particularly for the incoming executive council.

He added, it is crucial in the sense that it is a moment that will mark the cessation of the functions of yet another executive council and the beginning of another.

According to him, ‘as people mandated with such responsibilities, this is a moment when they should among other things reflect on what the association has so far achieved over the years and the enormous challenges that await them’.

“So we should convince ourselves that we are prepared enough to lead this association to achieve what is best for our membership”, he urged.

He added “verily it is only through effective team work sacrifice, and commitment that we can realise our aspirations. As in-coming President, I am cognisant of this, and I would not relent my efforts in working with the rest of the executive body to address them. On that note, I would, on behalf of the executive express our readiness in renewing our commitments with the Office of Provost UTG administration and with our generous friends and partners”, he concluded.

Professor N Awasom, deputising the Vice Chancellor of the UTG, also advised the students to take their studies seriously, noting that the eyes of the whole nation is on the medical students, and we need doctors in this country”.

Provost Ousman Nyan, Registrer Lamin S Jaiteh, Prof Arturo Menendez, all expressed similar sentiments. Pa Amadou Sohna gave the vote of thanks.