The MP for Foni Bintang has called for prosecution of people responsible for the importation of India-made contaminated cough syrups linked to the deaths of 70 children from Acute Kidney Injury.

Bakary Badjie made the call on Wednesday (26 Oct) during a special session of parliament over the national tragedy. 

The house health committee has been tasked to investigate the incident and report back by November 30.

Mr Badjie urged the committee to honestly execute their duties “without favour or ill will”, adding that “if they fail in this task that they would failed the whole nation and that God will hold them responsible for their failure in hereafter.”

“As we move out of this house, let us remember to control whatever enters this country. Whatever our people are to consume, let us control it. Let people be responsible for their actions. 

“But then when we say we cannot blame anyone for this, this is wrong, we can blame somebody,” he told lawmakers in the presence of Dr Amadou Lamin Samateh, Gambia’s health minister.

“As most of you will want to restrict us time and again on what to debate and what not to debate, I must say this as an independent man that this house must not over restrict members of parliament on what to say and what not to say.

“So long as it affects the public, it affects us. So long as it’s in public interest, we should discuss it here,” he added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba