President Jammeh discharges the first and second batches of people living with HIV/AIDS, declares a free maternal health care for women and children in government's hospitals. The patients were discharged on Tuesday at a ceremony held at State House grounds. Speaking on the occasion President Jammeh explained that his mission was not to make name or money but purely to serve humanity. He said his interest to cure HIV/AIDS started as far back as in 1986 because he was concerned by the fact that 99% of people infected with the virus come from the black race. He expressed his commitment to safe Africans from the scourge of the disease.

President Jammeh's speech, which strongly featured his pan African ideology, lashed out at the colonialists for the exploitation of the mineral and natural resources of Africa. He said the West would disagree about his ability to cure the AIDS Virus because of the billions of dollars they get from the HIV/AIDS Campaign Fund. He also spoke with pride the quality and affordable health care system Gambians are enjoying. President Jammeh also paid glowing tribute to his team of medical practitioners who assisted him during the course of the treatment.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr Tamsir Mbowe showered praises on President Jammeh for his breakthrough. He described President Jammeh as a revolutionary leader with a vision and foresight to serve humanity. He also expressed optimism that the cured patients would integrate fully in society to contribute to nation building.

The Chief Medical Director of RVTH Dr Malick Njie recalled the day when President Jammeh visited the Emergency and Accident Unit of the RVTH and personally applied traditional medicine on patients to help heal their ailments. He hailed the President's treatment programme because of its fast healing effects. Fatou Jatta one of the discharged patients applauded President Jammeh for his breakthrough describing it as a ‘' miracle'' . She thanked the Gambian leader for wiping out stigma and discrimination from their faces. Ms Jatta finally enjoined her fellow colleagues to take good care of their lives considering the difficult moments they had gone through before the start of the President's treatment.

President Jammeh announced his decision to participate fully in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and Asthma in the country during a meeting with the management of RVTH, Secretaries of State, the ambassadors of Cuba and Taiwan and a representative of Santa-Yalla Society on 17th January.