Health Minister Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh has dismissed claims of rampant corruption in The Gambia, insisting that the Barrow administration has delivered more development than any previous government.

Speaking in an interview with West Coast Radio, Dr Samateh rejected recent allegations of widespread graft, particularly within the health sector.

“I don’t think there is rampant corruption,” he said. “If there were rampant corruption in the Ministry of Health or in this country, we wouldn’t have been able to do the development that we are doing now. We are doing more development now than the former regime — a lot more.”

The minister said the government has strengthened accountability mechanisms by empowering auditors to scrutinise public accounts and recommend action against corruption.

“You see, the auditors are part of the government; the government has made work easy for them to look into the accounts of the government and guide the government in dealing with corruption. I think the government should be applauded for that,” he said.

Responding to reports of shortages in hospitals and claims that patients are being asked to buy their own gloves, Dr Samateh suggested that some of the complaints were politically motivated.

Dr Samateh also revealed that he was subjected to “spiritual attacks” during his time as Chief Medical Director at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) due to his efforts to promote accountability and discipline.

“It was disheartening that these things could even be perceived, let alone happen,” he said. “When I was CMD of EFSTH, I did my best to bring about accountability and sanity. It was difficult because those were the days they would pour spiritual water on my car.”

He said his vehicle was often found drenched with water, which he believed was part of an attempt to intimidate him for taking a stand against corruption.

Dr Samateh added that while the hospital had improved under his leadership, some bad practices later resurfaced. He confirmed that police are currently investigating the findings of the recently released audit report on EFSTH.

“We thought it was stabilised, but some bad practices crept in again. The audit report is being investigated; the police are looking at it diligently,” he said.

The minister said the hospital’s management team has since been changed and expressed confidence in the new leadership’s ability to restore accountability.