Gambia Immigration has uncovered a public health crisis after dozens of children at a Quranic school were found with untreated skin infections and living in overcrowded, unhygienic conditions.

The operation began when Immigration Director General Ebrima Mboob encountered a group of boys at Brufut beach on Sunday.

 The children, students at Daara Medina Suwaneh, were visibly suffering from rashes, wounds, and other signs of infection.

A joint response involving police and public health officials found that out of 101 minors at the school, 57 were diagnosed with scabies, a contagious skin condition caused by mites.

The children include nationals from The Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau.

Authorities say poor living conditions and a lack of medical care worsened the children’s health.

The case has now been handed over to public health officials for urgent medical intervention.

By Adama Makasuba