By: Nyima Sillah
Hon. Mamma Kandeh, Party Leader and Secretary of General Gambia Democratic Congress said the Ministry of Health as well as the Medical Control Agency and the Pharmacy Council including other related health bodies must be held accountable.
In his heartfelt condolences statement, Hon Kandeh said “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 question 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 medicines in the market? Is the reported 66 deaths the right number?” He questioned.
He continued: “Our Health care 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 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.”
He also said: 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 said.
He, therefore, called on the National Human Right Commission, the National Assembly Committee on Human Rights and Health, and the government to mount an impartial investigation into this tragedy as those involved must face the full force of the law as the only justice for the victim families and the setting of good precedence to avoid future recurrence of it.