AKI Crisis: 70 Children Dead, Zero Justice—Barrow’s Negligence Kills

In 2022, 70 Gambian children died from acute kidney injury (AKI) after consuming toxic cough syrups imported from India. Three years later, no one has been prosecuted, no families have received full compensation, and the Medicine Control Agency (MCA) remains underfunded and ineffective 112. This tragedy is not just a failure of regulation—it is a direct result of systemic corruption and negligence under President Adama Barrow’s government.

While Gambian parents mourn, the country’s public hospitals remain in shambles, lacking basic medicines, equipment, and qualified staff. The AKI crisis exposed how corruption is killing Gambians—not just through poisoned medicines, but through a collapsing healthcare system that could be saved if public funds weren’t stolen by the elite.

This article examines:

1. How the AKI crisis unfolded – Lax oversight, delayed action, and a broken regulatory system.
2. Barrow’s empty promises – No justice, no reforms, no accountability.
3. The state of Gambia’s hospitals – How corruption has left them in ruins.
4. How ending corruption could save lives – What must be done to fix this crisis.

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1. How the AKI Crisis Exposed Barrow’s Failed Leadership

A. Poisoned Medicines, Weak Oversight

• The contaminated syrups (Promethazine, Kofexmalin, Makoff, Magrip N) were imported by Atlantic Pharmaceuticals from Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd (India).
• Tests revealed deadly levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG)—chemicals used in antifreeze and brake fluid.
• The MCA approved these drugs without proper testing—Gambia lacks a functional drug quality lab and relies on foreign testing.

B. Delayed Response, More Deaths

• Doctors first alerted the Health Ministry in July 2022, but a public warning wasn’t issued until September—40 days later.
• By then, 70 children had died, including Lamin Sagnia (4) and Muhammad Kamara (1).
• One father, Ebrima Sagnia, recounted his son’s last words: “Daddy, take me home”—a plea he couldn’t fulfill.

C. Barrow’s Hollow “Action”

• The government fired the MCA’s director but no criminal charges were filed.
• A Presidential Task Force made 29 recommendations (e.g., drug lab, victim compensation)—none fully implemented.
• Maiden Pharmaceuticals denied responsibility, and India’s government dismissed WHO findings.

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2. Barrow’s Government: Corruption Over Children’s Lives

A. No Justice for Victims

• Parents sued the government in 2024, but hearings have been delayed—officials skipped court sessions.
• No compensation for grieving families, no reforms to prevent future tragedies.

B. Broken Healthcare System

• Hospitals lack basic medicines—patients buy drugs from unregulated pharmacies.
• The National Medicines Lab, promised since 2014, still doesn’t exist.
• MCA remains underfunded—officials admit they can’t afford proper drug testing.

C. Corruption in High Places

• The $30 million oil scandal (Apogee FZC, Creed Energy) shows Barrow’s allies loot with impunity.
• GALA’s July 2025 protests demanded action—Barrow ignored them.

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3. The State of Gambia’s Hospitals: A System in Ruins

A. No Medicines, No Equipment

• Public hospitals charge D50 for consultations, up from D25, forcing families into debt.
• Expired drugs are sold in markets, while hospitals lack basic antibiotics and painkillers.
• Farafenni Hospital had no technician for its scanning machine for months.

B. Underpaid Staff, Overworked Doctors

• Nurses earn less than D10,000/month, while ministers enjoy luxury cars.
• Doctors flee abroad—Gambia has only 200 doctors for 2.4 million people.

C. Fake Renovations, Real Neglect

• The Health Ministry boasts of “state-of-the-art” renovations, but hospitals like Brikamaba are surrounded by trash and unsanitary conditions.
• COVID-19 funds were stolen—$10 million was allocated, but only $3 million was spent, mostly on hotels and cars instead of PPE and ventilators.

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4. How Ending Corruption Could Save Lives

A. A Functional Medicines Lab

• Build the National Medicines Lab—mandated since 2014 but never completed.
• Ban imports from Maiden Pharmaceuticals and enforce strict drug testing.

B. Prosecute the Thieves

• Jail those responsible for the AKI deaths and oil scandal.
• Recover stolen funds and invest them in healthcare.

C. Fund Hospitals, Not Luxury Cars

• Slash ministerial perks (e.g., Luxury cars) to buy ambulances and medicines.
• Raise nurses’ salaries and train more doctors.

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Conclusion: A Revolution for Healthcare

The AKI deaths symbolize Barrow’s betrayal—a government that protects corrupt elites while children die from neglect.

GALA’s demands:
✔ Prosecute MCA & pharmaceutical officials.
✔ Build the National Medicines Lab NOW.
✔ Compensate victims’ families.
✔ End corruption in oil, sports, and land deals.

If Barrow fails to act, Gambia’s youth will not stay silent. As one protester declared:

“We are not slaves to corruption. We will fight for our future.” 

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Sources:

1. The Point: Barrow Pressured on AKI & Oil Scandals
2. France24: Gambians Protest Corruption
3. AllAfrica: Health and Security Concerns
4. Ministry of Health Facebook: Hospital Renovations
5. Kerr Fatou: Economic Crisis Under Barrow
6. AA: Gambia’s Health System Near Collapse
7. Standard: Gov’t Announces AKI Inquiry
8. International Budget: COVID-19 Fund Theft

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