The Gambia For All(GFA) party is greatly saddened, and equally outraged by the avoidable loss of lives of more than 60 Gambian children in the painful circumstances of poisoning with substandard or adulterated medication.
Our sincere condolences go to the long suffering Gambian families. We offer our prayers for the innocent deceased children, whose lives have been tragically cut short by what can only be described as organized criminal elements, almost certainly in connivance with some regulatory authorities.
This is a tragedy that has affected the whole country; and while we acknowledge the worldwide problems of fake and substandard medicines, our total lack of political and professional preparedness is what has compounded the disaster.
The genesis of the tragedy is traceable to a press statement released by the country’s apex Hospital, EFSTH on the 9th August 2022. All subsequent actions by the Health authorities thereafter have been marked by inaccuracies and false leads; prompting the country’s Child Protection Agency to raise the alarm and caution authorities of their responsibility to safeguard the welfare of Gambian children.
We are where we are today because of poor judgments made, and poor leadership; which appears to be the hallmark of this administration in all sectors of governance.
We hope, and expect the authorities will launch a serious professional inquiry to get to the bottom of the tragedy, with the possibility of bringing legal action against persons or entities involved .
Saidou Bayo GFA National Youths Mobilizer.