By Makutu Manneh
The Medical Research Council Unit, The Gambia (MRCG), at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, held its annual Open Day on Wednesday at its Fajara campus, showcasing scientific achievements and the institution’s contributions to public health in The Gambia and beyond.
Held under the theme “From Research to Impact: Science, Communities, and the Future in The Gambia and Beyond,” the event brought together students, researchers, community leaders, and development partners for laboratory tours, scientific exhibitions, and interactive discussions.
Dr. Davis Nwakanma, MRCG’s chief operating officer, said the event aimed to strengthen public engagement, inspire young people to pursue scientific careers, and recognize the communities whose participation makes medical research possible.
“Research shouldn’t be done in isolation or behind closed doors,” he said, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and public trust.
Professor Ed Clarke, the unit’s director, praised the Gambian government, particularly the Ministry of Health, for decades of partnership. He said MRCG’s research had helped inform vaccination programmes, malaria prevention strategies, and other public health interventions across Africa and beyond.
Representing the British High Commission, Ella Penton-Voak described MRCG as one of the longest-standing partnerships between The Gambia and the United Kingdom, calling it Britain’s largest single investment in health research in low- and middle-income countries.
Delivering the keynote address, Lamin Dampha, first permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, commended the institution’s more than 75 years of contributions to healthcare, particularly its role in strengthening immunization programmes and shaping evidence-based health policies.
Established in 1947 and incorporated into the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2018, MRCG conducts research on malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, vaccines, nutrition, and maternal health.
The event highlighted the institution’s continuing efforts to translate scientific discoveries into practical healthcare improvements while strengthening collaboration between researchers and the communities they serve.
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