By Nelson Manneh
The Gambian government’s response to the 2022 Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) outbreak, which claimed the lives of over 60 children, will be guided by ongoing court proceedings, Finance Minister Seedy Keita said on Friday.
The remarks came amid follow-ups to petitions filed by the movement called Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), which sought urgent action on three fronts: the $30 million petroleum scandal, unresolved audit cases, and the AKI panel investigations.
“Justice, healing, and compensation of victims’ families is currently before the court, and the court’s ruling will determine the government’s further actions,” Minister Keita said.
The 2022 outbreak was traced to contaminated cough syrup imported from India, leading to dozens of deaths. Investigations revealed that more than 8,000 units of the syrup remained unaccounted for. Following the tragedy, the government suspended the importer’s license, closed the Atlantic Pharmacy implicated in the distribution, and blacklisted the Indian manufacturer. Diplomatic channels were engaged with Indian authorities to pursue legal action against the company.
A Commission of Inquiry, established in October 2022, led to the dismissal of top officials at the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) and prompted a review of the country’s drug licensing and regulatory framework. Minister Keita emphasized that the government has strengthened oversight and regulatory measures, including the construction of a National Medicine Quality Control Laboratory, which is nearing completion. Equipment for the lab has already been procured, with operations expected to commence in early 2026.
“The Ministry of Health is reviewing the Medicines and Related Products Act of 2014 and the Pharmaceutical Council Act to ensure that the MCA operates as an autonomous and effective entity,” Keita said. He also noted that the MCA has instituted full-time inspectors at all major entry points, including Banjul International Airport, Banjul Sea Port, and official land borders, to monitor cross-border medical imports.
In a broader effort to strengthen pharmaceutical oversight, the government has launched the University of The Gambia’s School of Pharmacy, admitting its first batch of students for the 2025 academic year. “The Pharmaceutical Council of The Gambia will be empowered and independent, ensuring effective regulation of the sector,” Keita said.
While emphasizing ongoing reforms, the minister acknowledged that final actions on justice, compensation, and victim support will remain dependent on the judicial process. Settlement discussions between bereaved families and the government are ongoing, but no agreement has yet been reached.
Minister Keita underscored that the government has acted decisively to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy, stressing the importance of legal compliance, regulatory oversight, and international collaboration. “A lot has been achieved in the process, and the lab will start operating by early 2026,” he said.
