By Nelson Manneh
The Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) issued a stark call for urgent government action and accountability Thursday following an outbreak of scabies at the Daara Madina Suwaneh, a Quranic school in Brufut Heights.
The Ministry of Health announced on May 27 that 57 cases of scabies were confirmed among 101 minors examined at the facility, raising alarm over the health and living conditions faced by vulnerable children. The Ministry acknowledged the serious risks posed by the outbreak, noting a lack of adequate medical care during the initial investigation and pledging to improve treatment and hygiene measures to curb the spread of the disease.
In a statement released May 29, the rights group sharply criticized multiple government agencies, including the Ministries of Health, Children, and Justice, as well as the Gambia Police Force and the National Human Rights Commission, for what it described as a “perennial dereliction of duty” that has endangered children’s health and safety.
“These children have a right to the highest attainable standard of living, including hygiene, sanitation, and healthcare,” the statement read. “The failure to monitor and hold service providers accountable allowed this outbreak to go undetected for an extended period, reflecting systemic institutional neglect.”
The EFSCRJ’s condemnation echoes previous tragedies in Gambian boarding schools and care homes, including a fatal fire at Bilal Islamic boarding school in 2021 that killed nine children, and a 2022 investigation exposing poor conditions and abuse at Penny Appeal care homes. Despite public outcry and official promises of accountability in those cases, the rights group says no meaningful action has been taken.
In light of the current crisis, the organization demanded joint investigations by the Ministries of Health and Children, the Police Force, and the National Human Rights Commission to probe the outbreak and assess broader living conditions at the school. It further called for the immediate closure and thorough disinfection of Daara Madina Suwaneh, as well as a nationwide review of boarding schools and childcare facilities.
The group urged the government to implement existing regulations, including Section 199 of the Children’s Act, which mandates biannual inspections of child care centers with the authority to suspend operations if minimum standards are not met.
“Public institutions must fulfill their constitutional mandate to protect the rights and welfare of all children,” the statement said. “Failure to do so not only jeopardizes health but undermines trust in state agencies tasked with safeguarding citizens.”
EFSCRJ pledged to continue monitoring the situation closely to ensure transparency and hold officials accountable for protecting children’s rights.
