GALA Blames State Negligence for Ebrima Gassama’s Death, Calls for Independent Investigation

By Makutu Manneh

Gambians Against Looted Assets, or GALA, has accused the government of negligence in the death of Ebrima Gassama at Brikama General Hospital, calling for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death and the conditions at the facility.

In a statement issued by its Central Committee, GALA said Gassama’s death reflected broader shortcomings in a public health system that it said had suffered from inadequate investment, weak oversight, and a lack of accountability.

The group described Gassama as a patriotic citizen who had dedicated himself to the welfare of others.

Citing an account provided by Gassama’s family, GALA said he entered Brikama General Hospital on his own on Saturday, Aug. 29, and was subsequently placed on oxygen.

“Within minutes, the power failed,” the group said.

GALA said Gassama was then transferred to another ward where backup power was available, but that his condition had deteriorated significantly by the time he arrived.

The organization further alleged that when a nurse was called to assist him, she declined, saying it was not her responsibility. According to GALA’s account, Gassama’s relatives and other people at the hospital were left trying to assist him.

“By then, it was too late,” the statement said.

The account of the circumstances surrounding Gassama’s death could not be independently verified from the statement, and GALA did not include a response from Brikama General Hospital or health authorities.

GALA argued that the death should not be regarded simply as an isolated tragedy, but as a consequence of what it described as longstanding failures in the management of the country’s health system.

“A citizen who trusted the system with his life was failed not by accident, but by negligence that has become routine,” the group said.

GALA expressed solidarity with Gassama’s family, including his mother, and pledged to support their efforts to establish what happened and seek accountability.

The group outlined four demands: an independent investigation into Gassama’s death, including the reported power failure and the conduct of hospital personnel; public disclosure of the condition of backup power systems at Brikama General Hospital and other public health facilities nationwide; disciplinary or legal action against anyone found responsible for negligence; and immediate government investment to address what it described as chronic infrastructure deficiencies in the health sector.

GALA said Gassama’s death should not be allowed to become another statistic without a full accounting of the circumstances that led to it.

“The death of comrade Ebrima must not be in vain,” the group said. “We owe him and every Gambian who walks into a hospital trusting it to save their life, nothing less than the truth and justice.”

The organization ended its statement with its strongest accusation against the authorities.

“The blood of comrade Ebrima Gassama is in the hands of the state,” GALA said.