THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA’S COMBINED REPORT ON THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN & PEOPLES’ RIGHTS & INITIAL REPORT ON THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA in the treatment program and were required to abandon the use of their Anti- retroviral and intake unconventional medication in order to be treated. During the course of treatment, it has been alleged that several affected person’s who were enrolled in the program suffered complications and some even lost their lives. As a result, the survivors have lodged a civil suit at the High Court and are claiming damages in tort for the harm ‘pain and suffering’ and loss they suffered during the treatment programme. The Survivors found the claim for damages on the unlawful imprisonment and the inhumane and degrading treatment they allegedly endured during the months of January through July 2007. The survivors also claim that the treatment programme also violated their constitutional right to be free from torture. Additionally, as a part of the Transitional Justice process initiated by the Government, a Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission Act has been enacted to establish a Commission to address past human rights violations and impunity of the former regime. This platform will therefore be another avenue for their stories to be heard and acknowledged by the Government and possibly give them an opportunity to be granted reparations. Tuberculosis The following measures have been taken to combat Tuberculosis (TB) in the country; The Government has put in place, a National TB treatment guideline, National Strategic plan for TB control, advocacy, communication and social mobilization strategy for promotion of TB prevention, control and treatment of Tuberculosis. The Government of The Gambia, is committed to TB control and treatment. Therefore, it has made the provision of TB services free of charge to all, irrespective of nationality. Anti TB drugs are also supplied at all, care delivery levels The Government of The Gambia is also in line with the guidelines developed by the World Health Organization that considers children as fully vaccinated when they have received a vaccination against tuberculosis referred to as BCG provided at birth or at first clinical contact. At the administration of the GDHS, 68 percent of children aged 12 to 23 months were fully immunized. Ministry of Health has also established and maintains a Multi Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB) surveillance system to monitor the emergence of MDR – TB. In addition, there is a strong medical task force team established to monitor MDR -TB situation in The Gambia. 71