GDC: Extending Our Sincere Condolence And Request For An Investigation On The Loss Of 66 Children

Press Release: 06th October, 2022.

I write with a very heavy heart as a concern citizen and sympathizer for the unfortunate loss of 66 children due to Acute Kidney Injury which is linked to contaminate Paracetamol Syrup from an Indian pharmaceutical company. In July of this year, the Ministry of Health discovered an unusual rise in the number of cases of diarrhoea and vomiting among children and no actions were taken until the case has risen to these tragic deaths. The state of our health sector is in tatters and need an overhaul redemption as the result to the deaths of these children is nothing but weak public health leadership and management in the health sector.

The Ministry of Health as well as the Medical Control Agency and the Pharmacy Council including other related health bodies must be held accountable for this as they are entrusted with the lives of poor Gambians and sadly the country’s image is painted with no hope in our health sector. The questions on everyone’s head is how did these syrups pass the regulatory procedures only to greet our children with untimely deaths? What assurance do we have that there are no bad medicine in the market? Is the reported 66 deaths the right number? Our Health care should have been conventionally regarded as an important sector in promoting social well-being but it has turned into a death-trap where confidence is totally lost due to the lack of accountability, transparency and it is sad to say that these 66 children have paid the highest price of corruption with their lives.

The death of one child at any age is a profound, difficult and painful experience and I recommend a day of mourning be observed out of respect to these young departed souls.

Therefore I call on the National Human Right Commission, the National Assembly Committee on Human Right and Health, the government to mount impartial investigation into this tragedy as those involved must face the full force of the law as the only justice to the victim families’ and the setting of a good precedence to avoid future reoccurrence of it.

Finally, I would like to offer my sincere and deepest condolences on behalf of the Gambia Democratic Congress Central Executive to the decease families over the loss of our children, which the nation is mourning with bleeding hearts. I know no one can interpret the devastating moments you are going through but I would like to assure you of our sincere prayers at this difficult times.

Signed
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Hon. Mamma Kandeh
(Party Leader and Secretary General GDC).