Bro, Abdou-Karim,
I have read  factual revelations on campama with interest . Lately i have been a regular visitor to the
campama visiting my brother and cousin admitted there. I would like to add that most of the inmates are
youngsters with drug related problems. I would urge all list members especially GESO to look into ways and
means of helping campama to be brought to standard  both in terms of comfort for the inmates and also assist
in the provision of the required drugs and qualified staff. What about setting up a scheme for volunteers
from overseas ?  What about thinking about the idea of a drug rehabilitation centre to help our brothers and
sisters? Sister Dimenga Tamba and her staff need commendation for the good work they are doing under
difficult circumstances. I  look forward to your contribution and support in this good gesture.

Chi Jamma,
Bro. Sheikh Tejan Nyang

abdou karim sanneh wrote:

> The final deliberation of the Sister Sakiina Smith Haaruun was very
> emotional. I am appealing to the people of the Gambia to take matter
> every seriously. With worldwide atrocities such as natural flooding,
> famines, civil wars and social inequalities black extended families are
> being displace which give rise to instability. These, undoubted will
> give rise to mental ill health. Education on mental health is paramount
> and this should begin on the very top: by this I mean the Ministry of
> Health most put mental health education as a priority on the way forward
> to put in place policies and produces, and for the development update
> and current mental health act. As human beings we need to recognize that
> each community there are leaders. These leaders have a responsibility to
> care for those in need and anyone  experiencing mental illness certainly
> need for structured care and support in a healthy therapeutic
> environment. After all the Gambia is a muslim country and we should all
> be aware of the teachings of Islam with reference to taking care of
> those in need be it ZAKAAT.
> As displace African Muslim born in the Island of Jamaica and now
> residing in England for the past 34 years I now have the yearning to
> return back to Africa and have chosen the Gambia as my home. I am able
> and really to work in what ever area of need base on my skills and
> abilities but, there is a need for urgent care policies to put in place.
> What I am about to say I hope will not be taken out of context. The fact
> that mental health nurses are the once running'' the present show'', my
> suggestion is that they given scholarship and sponsorship to be train as
> consultant psychiatric. These will be the starting point for education
> program. There is now a need to train more people to become psychiatric
> nurses and this could start with some of the present nursing
> auxiliaries.
> I am appealing with all my heart to the Secretary of state for health Mr
> Abdoulie Sallah that he starts a dialogue with the team with the unit to
> become aware of the present nature of mental illness in the Gambia. In
> conclusion I would like to say that this being my visit visit to Africa
> per say the Gambia as been an eye opener and educational experience for
> me. The host population of calm, peaceful and tolerant and their
> hospitabiable, It is with this spirit that the above be extended to
> those individuals who are experiencing mental illness. I hope and pray
> that this article starts chain reaction of positive changes in the field
> of psychiatry. We have the to move beyond the mind set of fear and
> powerlessness. We must be open and willing to learn. As Awo Osun Kunle
> says ' You most never be stupid enough to say, or smart to admit, you
> know what someone else is talking about. The moment you do your learning
> stops. You can learn something valuable from everyone, in every
> situation, so the matter is I am opening willing to learn''. We should
> remember.
>
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