Mama Kandeh has called for tough action against officials of the Ministry of Health, Medical Control Agency and others over the tragic deaths of 66 children to acute kidney injury linked to Indian cough syrups.

“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?” Kandeh said.

“Our healthcare 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,” he added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba