The Gambia’s ministry of health has announced a nationwide recall of all paracetamol and cough syrups in circulation amid rising acute kidney disease among children in the country.

Several children have already died as a result of the kidney disease suspected to have been caused by contaminated paracetamol syrups. 

In a statement, the ministry of health said after observing some clinical events “it gave rise to the suspicion that contaminated paracetamol syrup, promethazine, and cough syrups might be the potential contributors to the Acute Kidney Injury or might have worsened initial diarrhoea affecting the children.

“For this reason, effective October 5th, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Medicines Control Agency will be conducting medicines recall exercise of all Paracetamol syrups, Promethazine, and cough syrups in circulation nationwide.”

Last month, the ministry ordered the suspension of sale of paracetamol syrup, suspected of being the cause of the acute kidney disease in children.

At least more than 20 children are known to have died of the deadly acute kidney disease since its outbreak in the country this year.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba