The Medical Research Council (MRC) recently organised a drawing competition among schoolchildren on the theme Improving Health, Improving Lives, in observance of their 60th anniversary held at the Council’s premises in Fajara.

In a well attended programme at the MRC, winners from different schools gathered to receive certificates and prizes.

According to the master of ceremonies, there were 365 children who sent in posters but the judge had to choose only seven winners.

Category 1 comprised ages 6-11 and the winner was Samsudeen Sallah of Marina International School, Bakau. The runner-up was Omar Janneh, aged 11, from Bakau Newtown Lower Basic School.

Category 2 comprised ages 12-18 and had joint winners. Abdoulai Mbenga, aged 18, from St. Augustine's Senior Secondary School in Banjul, and Ghazi Farage, aged 18, from Ndow’s Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, jointly won the first prize for Category 2.

The best public health message poster was won by Mustapha Badjie, aged 16, from SOS Senior Secondary at Bakoteh, and students of Abuko Upper Basic Schools were the runners up.

Special prize was awarded to Modou Ndow of St. John’s School for the Deaf, Kanifing, whose artwork appeared on the MRC programme.

The prizes were presented to the winners by Professor Collin Blakemore, Mrs. Clarie Sinkinson, Mrs. Kathleen Stafford, and Mrs. Haddy Njie.

The gathering was entertained by the Kanyeleng group.