MoHERST Marks Swearing-In of Gambia’s First Locally Trained Dental Surgeons

Written by: Seringe ST Touray

The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) has marked the swearing-in of the first cohort of dental graduates from the University of The Gambia School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, describing it as a major step in strengthening the country’s healthcare system.

The ceremony, held today at the Faculty of Law Auditorium on the UTG campus, represents the graduation of The Gambia’s first locally trained dental surgeons, a milestone expected to reduce reliance on foreign-trained specialists.

Higher Education Minister Professor Pierre Gomez described the occasion as “the birth of a legacy,” calling it a defining moment in the country’s development trajectory.

He said the milestone reflects sustained government investment under President Adama Barrow, noting that since the 2018/2019 academic year, significant resources have been channelled into expanding infrastructure at the University’s Banjul and Faraba Banta campuses, alongside full scholarships for all students in the inaugural dental cohort.

The minister also acknowledged the contributions of Dr Melville George and Dr Esangbedo, whose vision and dedication were instrumental in establishing the programme.

He praised the graduates’ dedication and reminded them of their responsibility as pioneers, calling on them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics while enhancing access to oral healthcare across the country, and to pursue specialised training while remaining committed to national service.